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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Illinois State baseball team started its eight-game trip to Florida at the Snowbird Classic Friday, suffering a 14-1 defeat at the hands of Indiana at North Charlotte Regional Park.
Indiana scored three runs in the top of the first, then added 11 more over the final five innings to earn the lopsided win.
In the top of the first inning with no outs, Indiana put runners at first and second with consecutive singles. Illinois State starting pitcher Jacob Hendren induced fly outs from the next two Hoosier batters and was close to getting out of a jam, but threw a wild pitch on a 3-2 count to the next batter, which allowed the runner from second to score and opened the door for a three-run first inning for the Hoosiers.
Illinois State (2-6) never recovered, as Indiana starter Kyle Hart held the Redbird bats at bay.
"Hart was really good today. He can just flat out pitch," Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac said. "Our guys didn't really get a whole lot to hit. When he needed to make a pitch, he made it, and you just have to tip your cap to him."
Hendren bounced back in the second inning by sitting the Hoosiers down in order. He didn't allow a run in the second, third and fourth innings. Hart didn't allow the Redbirds score in those innings, however, as the Indiana starter struck out 10 over six innings of work.
In the fifth inning, Luke Miller hit a leadoff triple off Hendren and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Indiana tacked on another run later in the inning to increase its lead to 5-0.
Hendren came out for the sixth and struck out the first batter. Laren Eustace singled up the middle with one out and stole both second and third base. With the bases loaded, Indiana's Craig Dedelow singled in two more runs. Hendren allowed one more run before his day was over. Indiana led 8-0 after six innings.
Eustace continued his big day at the plate with a two-run home run in the seventh inning, increasing the Hoosiers' lead to 10-0.
The Redbirds scored their lone run in the bottom of the eighth. Danny Jackson doubled with one out. Jared Hendren then singled in Jackson. Indiana (2-6) added four more runs in the ninth, thanks to five singles, to finish off the win.
Eustace stood out for Indiana, going 5-for-6 with a homer and three RBIs on the day. Illinois State's Jackson, Ryan Hutchinson and Owen Miller doubled in the game. No Redbird had more than one hit.
Hart (2-1) earned the win as he went six innings, struck out 10 batters, gave up three hits and held the Redbirds scoreless. Hendren (0-3) gave up 11 hits and eight earned runs through 5.2 innings in the loss.
The Redbirds return to the diamond to play Ohio State Saturday. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. CT.
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