TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Illinois State got two runs in the top of the sixth inning, but it was not enough in a 5-2 loss at Indiana State to open the Missouri Valley Conference series.
Three players: Owen Miller, Derek Parola, and Jack Butler each had two hits in the game, while Noah Sadler and Nick Zouras each scored in the loss.
The beginning of the game for Illinois State started promising, as it got back-to-back singles from John Rave and Miller, and the team put runners on base in seven of nine innings during the game.
Indiana State struck first with a two-out RBI single in the second inning, and then added two more runs in the fourth and another in the fifth, as the Sycamores jumped out to a 4-0 lead.
The Redbirds cut the deficit in half with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Sadler drew a one-out walk, and Zouras reached on a fielder's choice. The Redbirds' next batter, pinch-hitter Butler hit a fly ball to left field that went over the left fielder's head. Butler raced to third, chasing home Sadler and Zouras, before being tagged out at the plate trying to stretch the triple into an inside the park home run.
A Sycamore insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, the final runs of the game, as the teams played the last two and a half innings without being able to score a run.
Brent Headrick picked up the loss, going five innings on the mound while striking out three and scattering nine hits and allowing four runs. Jeff Lindgren pitched two innings of relief, allowing one run, while Kyle Pauly pitched the final inning, striking out one.
The teams meet tomorrow (Saturday) in a 1 p.m. first pitch for the second game of the series.
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