Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Indiana State is now 24-13, 4-2 MVC after a midweek come-from-behind win over Big Ten foe, Purdue. The Boilermakers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but the Sycamores stepped up to score 22 runs, winning by a final score of 22-4. This was the first time a team has scored over 20 runs since the 2012 season. Junior Tony Rosselli racked up eight RBIs and was named D1Baseball.com's Player of the Day for April 21. The Sycamores are back in MVC action this weekend where they will host Dallas Baptist for a three-game series.
Weekend Schedule
Friday: vs. Dallas Baptist - Bob Warn Field - 6:30pm
Saturday: vs. Dallas Baptist - Bob Warn Field - 1:00pm (WAWV)
Sunday: vs. Dallas Baptist - Bob Warn Field - 1:00pm
Probable Pitchers
Friday: Ryan Keaffaber
Saturday: Tyler Ward
Sunday: TBD
Ribbies For Rosselli
Junior Tony Rosselli not only started the Sycamores' come-from-behind scoring campaign Wednesday night at Purdue, but he kept pounding. The Terre Haute native got things going by knocking in two runs in the fourth inning to start ISU's come back from a 4-0 deficit. Rosselli went on to finish the game with eight total RBIs, four hits, three runs scored, two doubles, a home run, and a walk in the Sycamores' 22-4 win over Purdue.
Ward With The W
Freshman Tyler Ward worked his way into the starting rotation earlier in the season, making his presence in the Valley known. Ward improved himself to 5-3 after Sunday's tight game against Illinois State in which the Sycamores came out on top by one run. In the win, Ward was one inning shy of a complete game. The freshman had a stellar day on the mound, giving up only three hits, striking out five Redbirds, and walking none. Overall, Ward holds the top ERA for starting pitchers with a 2.81. Out of 48 total innings pitched, the righty has only walked six and has struck out 26.
Hot Hitting
Senior Andy DeJesus posted one of his best outings this season throughout this past weekend's series with Illinois State. DeJesus had a flawless game on Sunday, going 4-for-4 at the plate and scoring the go-ahead run to secure the series win. In Saturday's game, the senior second baseman went 3-for-4 with a RBI. Over the weekend, DeJesus went 7-for-12, good enough for a .583 batting average and 1.000 slugging percentage. DeJesus notched his third and fourth triples of the season, added a double, a RBI, and two runs scored. Andy also tallied two hits in the 22-4 win over Purdue as part of a six-hit streak.
Hunter On The Move
Junior Hunter Owen has been solid at the plate all season for the Sycamores. In Wednesday night's 22-4 win over Purdue, Owen touched a total of 16 bases, breaking the record for single game total bases that was once 12, set in 1989 by two different players.
A Little History
The two teams have met 15 time, while Indiana State trails in the overall series 6-9. Last season, Dallas Baptist won the series taking two of three games.
Scouting The Competition
The Patriots are 24-11 overall and own a half game lead over the Sycamores as they claim the top spot in MVC play with a 4-1 record. The MVC named Colin Poche Pitcher of the Week and David Martinelli Player of the Week for April 18. In the Patriots' 9-1 win over No. 5 TCU, Martinelli's three-run homer broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning and helped lift Dallas Baptist to the upset victory on the road. Colin Poche, a junior lefty, struck out a career-high eight batters in DBU's 7-2 win over Southern Illinois this past weekend. Junior LHP Darick Hall poses a threat on the mound and at the plate. The southpaw owns a .326 batting average with 13 home runs and a 2.82 ERA as a Saturday starter. Six Patriots are currently batting over the .300 mark, headlined by Martinelli (.378) and Jameson Hannah (.370). DBU's Sunday starter, freshman lefty Jordan Martinson, owns a 2.72 ERA and a 2-1 record.
They Sycamores will begin the weekend on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET, continue to Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and Conclude on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on WAWV. For more information on Sycamore Baseball, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
