Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
WICHITA, Kan. – Indiana State Baseball and Wichita State traded punches in Friday night's barn burner that resulted in a 15-10 win for the Sycamores who improved to 28-16 overall and 8-5 in MVC play. The Shockers took the early advantage, leading 7-5 in the fourth inning, but the Sycamores broke through with a seven-run sixth inning, that would eventually give them enough momentum to defeat the Shockers by a five-run deficit. This win marks the twelfth win over .500 for Indiana, and the team's fourth consecutive MVC win.
The Shockers jumped out to a quick lead, as they plated two runs in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch and a defensive miscue, but senior Andrew Gutierrez answered with a three-run bomb to put the Sycamores up 3-2.
Wichita State bounced back, scoring another pair of runs in the second inning to take a 4-3 lead over Indiana State.
The Sycamores went down in order in the top of the third before the Shockers struck again, plating the trending two runs as Keenan Eaton dropped his first homer of the season, picking up two RBIs, and giving the Shockers the 6-3 lead.
Both teams were trading punches, as the Sycamores fired back with a two-run homer from the bat of junior Tony Rosselli to cut into the Shockers' lead, 6-5.
In the bottom half of the fourth, Wichita State extended their lead to 7-5 with a solo home run, but Indiana State answered yet again as junior Hunter Owen sent a solo shot over dead center to tack on another run, making it 7-6. Senior Kaden Moore continued the hitting action as he singled through the left side, just before sophomore Dane Giesler singled through the right side. Rosselli then drew a one out walk, and freshman Clay Dungan tied things up at 7-7 with a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Moore.
For the first time in the ball game, the Sycamores set the Shockers down in order in the bottom half of the fifth. The Sycamores made some noise in the top of the sixth as Gutierrez and senior Andy Young reached safely, eventually scoring on an infield chopper by Owen and an error by the Shocker third baseman to claim the lead. Owen then made his way home as the Shocker catcher threw one away to left field, giving the Sycamores the 10-7 advantage.
Dungan kept things going with a sacrifice fly to left to score Moore. Sophomore Tyler Friis then lined a two-out, two-RBI triple to give the Sycamores the 13-7 lead. The Sycamores did not stop at that, as Friis slid in on a passed ball to double the score.
Wichita State punched away at the Sycamores' seven-run lead, cutting it to a four-run lead as they were able to notch a three-run sixth inning.
The Sycamores added another insurance run in the top of the eighth as Rosselli homered for the second time in the ball game, locking the Sycamores into a 15-10 lead that would stand through the end of the ball game.
In the win for ISU, sophomore Ethan Larrison worked four innings of relief, picking up his first save of the season, while senior Greg Kuhlman was the pitcher of record, picking up his first win of the season.
Five different Sycamores (Owen, Moore, Giesler, Rosselli, and Friis) had two hits on the night, while Rosselli finished with two home runs, three RBIs, three runs scored, and two walks. Andrew Gutierrez led the Sycamores at the plate with going 3-for-4 with a walk, three RBIs, two runs scored, and walk.
Indiana State will return to Tyler Field at Eck Stadium on Saturday for game two with the Shockers at 3:00 p.m. ET. Tomorrow's game is broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3 and can be heard locally on WIBQ 1230 AM.
