TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – SIUE scored 13 unanswered runs on Wednesday night at Bob Warn Field as Indiana State was unable to hold off the Cougars in the 17-9 midweek nonconference loss.
 
Indiana State (16-17) struck early with six runs in the bottom of the first inning highlighted by a Caleb Niehaus two-run double and Jaxon Sparks' first collegiate home run. Following an SIUE rally (17-15) that cut the Sycamores' lead down to 6-4, Indiana State plated two more runs in the bottom of the third on a Mason Roell RBI single, while Nick Sutherlin scored on Jaxon Sparks' fielder's choice.
 
The Cougars rallied back from there utilizing a five-run fifth inning to take the lead, before Ryan Niedzwiedz and Gage Franck home runs in the top of the eighth helped the visiting team pull away from the Sycamores in the midweek contest.
 
Carter Beck went 2-for-4 from the plate with an RBI double in the ninth inning, while Jaxon Sparks connected on a three-run home run and drove in a career-high four RBIs to lead the Sycamore offense. Emil Estrella and Caleb Niehaus added doubles in the loss.
 
Breyllin Suriel (1-4) took the loss on the mound allowing eight hits and nine runs over 4.1 innings. Brady Banker, Trevor Fenters, Carson Seeman, Aaron Moss, and Sander Lucas all saw time on the mound in relief.
 
Ryan Niedzwiedz homered twice, while Cooper Eggert doubled and tripled to pace the SIUE offense in the game.
 
Noah Johnson (1-3) pitched 4.0 innings of strong relief in securing the win on the mound, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out two. Brennen Grams and Gabriel Nutter struck out five over the final two innings to close out the contest.
 
How They Scored

• Indiana State batted around in the bottom of the first inning to take the early 6-0 lead against SIUE. Mason Roell drew a bases-loaded walk to start the scoring, before Caleb Niehaus doubled in Nick Sutherlin and Caden Miller. Jaxon Sparks capped the scoring with a three-run home run over the wall in left center to put the Sycamores ahead early.
• SIUE rallied back with two runs in the top of the second inning as Brenden Fry doubled home Joshua Heyder, before Jose Fichera's grounder plated Cooper Eggert to make it a 6-2 contest.
• SIUE narrowed the gap further on Joshua Heyder's two-run home run in the top of the third inning to make it a 6-4 game.
• The Sycamores added to their lead in the bottom of the third as Mason Roell singled home Caden Miller, before Nick Sutherlin scored on Jaxon Sparks' fielder's choice to put the score at 8-4.
• The Cougars responded with five runs in the top of the fifth inning highlighted by Ryan Niedzwiedz's solo home run and Ethan Willoughby (RBI single) and Cooper Eggert (RBI double) also connected on run-scoring hits to go ahead 9-8.
• Cooper Eggert's RBI triple in the top of the seventh inning scored Ethan Willoughby to put the score at 10-8.
• Ryan Niedzwiedz connected on a two-run home run and Gage Franck drilled a pinch-hit grand slam in the top of the eighth to put SIUE ahead 16-8.
• The Cougars added a final run in the top of the ninth on Kyle Hepburn's RBI fielder's choice to make it a 17-8 game.
• Carter Beck plated Indiana State's final run of the contest with an RBI double to left center scoring Carson Cox in the bottom of the ninth inning to provide the final 17-9 scoring margin.

News and Notes

• Carter Beck extended his hitting streak to 15 consecutive games on Wednesday night as the junior outfielder connected on a single in the bottom of the first inning.
• Mason Roell extended his hitting streak to 10 consecutive games on Wednesday night after his third inning RBI single.
• Colin Sander saw his hitting streak end at eight games after going hitless over his five plate appearances.
• Carson Cox and Sander Lucas both made their Indiana State debuts on Wednesday night.
• Carson Cox reached on an error and scored a run in his ninth inning pinch-hit appearance.
• Sander Lucas pitched 1.0 inning in relief allowing two hits and a run in the ninth inning.

Up Next
Indiana State heads to Duffy Bass Field and Normal, Ill. for a three-game weekend series against Illinois State spanning April 10-12. All three games will be carried live on 105.5 The Legend, while Sunday's contest will be featured on ESPN+.
 
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.