April 28, 2006 SYCAMORES LOSE 13-INNING BATTLE WITH WICHITA STATE TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State battled with No. 23 Wichita State for 13 innings, but in the end the Shockers came up with the big hit to earn a 6-5 win on Friday night at Sycamore Field. Both teams had multiple scoring opportunities in extra-innings, but a batter after ISU gunned down a runner at the plate a double off the wall by Matt Brown scored the winning run from first base. The loss drops ISU to 19-22 overall and 5-8 in MVC action, while WSU (32-15) moves into sole possession of first place in the conference standings at 10-6 after its eighth straight MVC win. Both starters struggled in the first inning, as ISU's Ryan Tatusko gave up three hits, but allowed only one run getting out of a bases loaded jam. ISU followed with three hits off of Travis Banwart in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. But both aces got in a groove after that as the game went to the fourth with the same score. In the top of the fourth, the Shockers broke through with three runs off of three hits, including a two-run double by Kenny Waddell. WSU boosted the lead to 5-2 with a after manufacturing a run in the fifth. The Sycamores began their comeback in the bottom of the inning as Cory Kral singled, stole second base and scored on a single by Nevin Ashley. ISU then tied the score in the sixth with a two-out rally. Josh Abercrombie started things with single and he scored on a double by Andrew Strange. Tim Brewer then knotted the score, 5-5, with an RBI single. Neither team scored over the next six innings, but not because of the lack of opportunity. The Sycamores' Ryan Bond was thrown out at the plate in the eighth inning after trying to score from first on double by Josh Abercrombie. The Shockers had runners in scoring position in the 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th but the Sycamore bullpen came up with big outs to keep ISU in the game. In the bottom of the 11th, ISU loaded the bases with a walk, single and hit by pitch but could not come up with the game-winning blow. However, the Shockers did in the 13th inning but not before Tim Brewer halted the first WSU attempt to score when he threw out Brian Spear at the plate on a Damon Sublett single to right field. Brown followed by scoring Sublett with a towering shot off the centerfield fence. After Tatusko went 6.0 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits, the Sycamore bullpen did the job holding the Shockers to just five hits the rest of the way. Brian Omogrosso was dominant as he threw 4.0 shutout innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three to get the game to the 11th. Adam Lindsay (1-1) took over and worked out of several jams, before finally relenting. Barnwart went 5.2 innings and gave up five runs on nine hits, before giving way to Anthony Capra, Noah Krol and Khol Nanney. Nanney (2-1) earned the victory after throwing two perfect innings. Abercrombie led the offense with three hits, while each of the top four Sycamores in the lineup recorded a pair of safeties. The Sycamores and Shockers will be square off in the second game of the series on Saturday at 1 pm.
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