TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State's offensive output was on full display across the lineup on Thursday afternoon as the Sycamores slugged their way to a 20-10 win over UIC in eight innings in the series opener at Bob Warn Field.
 
Ten different Indiana State (15-14, 5-2) players hit safely, eight different Sycamores recorded multiple hits, five players combined for six home runs, while five additional players combined for eight doubles as the Sycamores erased an early lead with 12 runs over the final three innings in the MVC series opening win.  
 
UIC (8-18-1, 3-4) took the early 5-1 lead behind Jake Busson and Vidal Colon home runs in the first three innings, before the Sycamore offense came to life in the bottom of the third frame.
 
Indiana State sent 11 batters to the plate in an inning highlighted by Mason Roell (two-run), Colin Sander (solo), and Carter Beck (three-run) home runs in building an 8-5 lead. After UIC rallied back with four runs of their own highlighted by Thomas Curry's three-run home run to take the 9-8 lead, Indiana State responded again in the sixth.
 
The Sycamores utilized the long ball again as Emil Estrella led off the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to tie the game. Caden Miller and Nick Sutherlin added back-to-back doubles with Sutherlin driving home Miller to retake the lead, with Colin Sander (RBI fielder's choice) and Caleb Niehaus (RBI single) both driving in runs and Jeremy Martinez scoring on a wild pitch.
 
Indiana State continued to build off their lead with Caleb Niehaus providing the big blow in the seventh inning on a three-run home run to left center, his first of the season, to stake the Sycamroes to the 17-9 lead. Indiana State closed out the game in the next frame with Colin Sander providing the final hit of the contest with a two-run single to right center scoring Mason Roell and Nick Sutherlin to activate the Valley's 10-run mercy rule in the eighth inning.
 
Mason Roell wrapped up the day with four of Indiana State's 24 hits in the game with Roell, Colin Sander, and Caleb Niehaus all driving in four RBIs. Carter Beck, Emil Estrella, and Nick Sutherlin all had three hits apiece, while Caden Miller, Colin Sander, and Jeremy Martinez all had two hits in the contest.
 
Jack Armstrong (3-2) picked up the win in relief on Thursday afternoon as the senior right-hander allowed three hits and a run while striking out three in 3.0 innings. Hunter Small worked 2.0 innings allowing three hits and five runs (four earned) in the start, while Breyllin Suriel worked the final 3.0 innings allowing just one run the rest of the way.
 
UIC's Ashton Kampa went 4-for-4 for the day from the plate and added a double as the Flames recorded 11 hits overall in the contest. Thomas Curry and Vidal Colon both connected on three-run home runs, while Jake Busson added a solo home run in the loss.
 
Mason Lei (2-4) took the loss on Thursday allowing 12 hits and eight runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings. Bobby Barrera, Aidan Terronez, Jacob Jakubowski, and George Eisenhardt also saw action on the mound.
 
How They Scored

• UIC took the early lead in the top of the first inning as Jake Busson connected on a two-out solo home run and Thomas Curry scored on a Sycamore throwing error to put the Flames ahead 2-0.
• Indiana State took one back in the bottom of the second inning on Mason Roell's solo home run to left field to make it a 2-1 ballgame.
• Vidal Colon added to the UIC lead in the top of the third inning with a three-run home run over the left field wall to extend the advantage to 5-1.
• The Sycamores powered back in a seven-run bottom of the third inning as Mason Roell (two-run), Colin Sander (solo), and Carter Beck (three-run) all homered in the inning to put Indiana State ahead 8-5.
• UIC battled back with patience at the plate as Colin Husko drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the fifth inning to cut the score down to 8-6.
• The Flames retook the lead in the top of the sixth as Thomas Curry connected on a three-run home run to left field scoring Jake Busson and Lucas Smith to put UIC ahead 9-8.
• Indiana State responded with a five-run sixth inning sparked by Emil Estrella's solo home run, while Nick Sutherlin (RBI double), Colin Sander (RBI fielder's choice), and Caleb Niehaus (RBI single) all drove in runs. Jeremy Martinez capped the scoring in the inning by scoring on a wild pitch to put the Sycamores ahead 13-9.
• Indiana State added to the lead in the seventh as Nick Sutherlin and Mason Roell hit back-to-back doubles for the first run, while Caleb Niehaus launched a three-run home run to left center to make it a 17-9 Sycamore lead.
• UIC plated a run in the top of the eighth on Sean Cody's RBI single scoring Ashton Kampa to put the score at 17-10.
• The Sycamores walked the game off in the bottom of the eight as Caden Miller's line drive sacrifice fly scored Carter Beck, before Colin Sander connected on the game-ending two-run single to right field scoring both Mason Roell and Nick Sutherlin to provide the final 20-10 scoring line. 

News and Notes

• Carter Beck extended his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games on Thursday afternoon as the junior outfielder recorded his 11th consecutive multi-hit game after going 3-for-6 from the plate.
• Mason Roell recorded his second multi-homer game of the 2026 season as the sophomore third baseman homered in both the second and third innings on Thursday afternoon.
• Mason Roell becomes the second Sycamore to post two multi-homer games of the season, joining Emil Estrella (Mar. 7 at Western Kentucky, Mar. 22 against Bradley).
• The Sycamores hit back-to-back home runs for the second time in the 2026 season as Mason Roell and Colin Sander connected in the third inning. It marked the first time the Sycamores achieved the feat since Eddie Alonso and Jeremy Martinez went back-to-back in the fifth inning on February 22 against UMass Lowell.
• Indiana State hit three home runs in the third inning as Mason Roell, Colin Sander, and Carter Beck all went deep in the frame on Thursday night. It marked the second time the Sycamores have hit three homers in the same inning and first since February 22 against UMass Lowell went Nick Sutherlin, Eddie Alonso, and Jeremy Martinez all homered in the fifth inning against the River Hawks.
• Indiana State powered six home runs on Thursday afternoon with Mason Roell (2), Colin Sander, Carter Beck, Emil Estrella, and Caleb Niehaus driving the ball deep for the Sycamores in the game. It marked the Sycamores' most home runs since connecting on six back on April 24, 2022, against Evansville.
• Indiana State's eight doubles on Thursday afternoon equals a season-high for the Sycamores and ties the most for the team since February 16, 2025, when Indiana State connected on eight doubles against Wagner.
• The Sycamores recorded 24 hits on Thursday afternoon marking their second 20-hit game of the 2026 season and first since connecting on 20 on March 22 against Bradley.
• Indiana State's 24-hit game was the most by the Sycamores since February 16, 2025, when the Sycamores connected on 34 hits against Wagner.
• Ten different Indiana State players recorded hits on Thursday with eight different players recording multi-hit contests. 

Up Next
Indiana State is scheduled to continue the series against UIC on Friday evening with first pitch at Bob Warn Field set for 6:30 p.m. The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
 
Indiana State Baseball Season Tickets on Sale Now
Season tickets for the 2026 Indiana State baseball season are now on sale as the Sycamores head into their second season under Head Coach Tracy Archuleta. The Sycamores will play 21 home games inside Bob Warn Field this season, starting on March 4 against Lindenwood.
 
Reserved chairback season tickets can be purchased for $110. General admission season tickets will go on sale as well with adult ($75), seniors ($55), and youth ($40) tickets also being available for purchase. There will be a $5 surcharge added to those wanting tickets printed.
 
The Sycamores have teamed up with Pacesetter Sports and the Spirit Shop for the third consecutive season for a season ticket deal. Fans will receive a $50 Pacesetter gift card for each $110 reserved chairback season ticket, $35 gift card for each $75 general admission season ticket, $25 gift card for each $55 senior general admission ticket, and $20 gift card for each $40 youth season ticket sold.
 
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.