CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois' Troy Shepard outdueled Indiana State's
Ty Brooks in a classic pitchers' duel on Saturday night at Itchy Jones Stadium as the Salukis evened the series on Tim Simay's sixth inning RBI single to claim the 2-1 win.
Indiana State (25-21, 11-6) took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning as
Carter Beck connected on a double to the wall in right center, moved to third on a wild pitch, and then scored on
Nick Sutherlin's RBI sacrifice fly.
The Salukis (18-27, 9-8) evened the score in the bottom of the frame as Jacob McKenzie scored on a double play ball up the middle to knot the game up at 1-1. SIU took the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Tim Simay singled home Gabe Petrucelli with two outs in the frame to go ahead 2-1.
The Sycamores had their chances to keep the game in striking distance with
Emil Estrella walking, and then stealing both second and third base in the sixth, but was stranded in scoring position.
Colin Sander singled in the seventh but was thrown out attempting to take third on an errant pickoff throw in their final scoring opportunity.
Ty Brooks (5-3) took the hard luck loss allowing six hits and two runs while walking three and striking out five.
Jack Armstrong went 2.0 scoreless innings to keep the game close late.
Carter Beck connected on a double, while
Colin Sander and
Nomar Garcia both singled for the Sycamore offense in the game.
Emil Estrella added two stolen bases in the loss.
SIU starter Troy Shepard (3-3) allowed three hits and a run while walking three and striking out five in the win. Meade Johnson (S, 1) retired all six batters he faced and recorded four strikeouts over the final two frames in his first save.
How They Scored
- Nick Sutherlin put the Sycamores ahead in the top of the fourth as his sacrifice fly plated Carter Beck to give Indiana State the 1-0 lead.
- SIU evened the game in the bottom of the fourth as Jacob McKenzie scored on a ground ball double play in the frame to tie it up at 1-1.
- Tim Simay connected on the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring Gabe Petrucelli to provide the final 2-1 margin.
News and Notes
- Carter Beck extended his on-base streak to 30 consecutive games following his leadoff double to right center in the top of the fourth inning.
- Caden Miller extended his on-base streak to 25 consecutive games after getting hit by a pitch in the top of the fourth inning.
- Emil Estrella picked up stolen bases 16 and 17 on the season in Saturday's contest.
- Emil Estrella has recorded 12 stolen bases in Missouri Valley play, including four games with at least two steals.
- Emil Estrella's 17 stolen bases are the most by a Sycamore since Landon Curry stole 18 in the 2014 season.
- Indiana State and Southern Illinois head into a rubber match for the series for the third consecutive season after splitting the first two games in both 2024 and 2025.
- The Sycamores won both of the previous two rubber matches, including last season's 12-8 win in Terre Haute, while topping SIU 7-2 in Carbondale back on April 28, 2024.
- Indiana State falls to 6-4 in the second game of the weekend series with Saturday's loss.
Up Next
Indiana State and Southern Illinois close out the series tomorrow afternoon with first pitch set for 2 p.m. ET at Itchy Jones Stadium. The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, make sure to check out
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