May 18, 2006
Baseball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES DROP OPENER TO MISSOURI STATE IN EXTRA INNINGS

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State could not take advantage of a strong outing by Ryan Hayes as it gave up a lead in the ninth and Missouri State used a Clay Coulter solo home run in the 12th inning to steal a 2-1 victory at Sycamore Field on Thursday night. The win keeps the Bears in the hunt for the MVC regular season title at 13-8, while dropping the Sycamores to 5-17 in conference action.

Hayes and Scott Carroll dueled for the first eight innings of the contest but neither starter earned a decision. The Sycamores took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning as Jake Eigsti drew a lead off walk and a Nevin Ashley single put runners on first and third. A ground ball scored Eigsti but the Bears turned a double play and got out of the inning without further damage.

The Sycamores lone run would hold up through eight as Hayes entered the ninth without giving up a run and only three hits. However, Brayden Drake ended Hayes night when he led off the ninth with a solid single to right field. Brian Omogrosso entered but a passed ball moved Drake to second and a single by Tim Rafferty knotted the game at 1-1. Jacob Hilgendorf followed with a double to put runners on second and third with one out, but Omogrosso retired the final two batters to remain tied.

The Sycamores were shutdown down the stretch by MSU reliever Chris Krawcyk (6-4). Krawcyk faced the minimum over the final four innings as he allowed only one baserunner, a Jake Eigsti single, and he was promptly thrown out at second base attempting to steal.

Adam Lindsay (1-4) entered the game for ISU and got out of a jam in the 11th and quickly got the first two batters in the 12th, before Coulter blasted a shot to leftfield, his fifth home run of the season, for the game-winning run.

The Sycamores finished with six hits, including two by Tim Brewer, while MSU posted 10 hits and left 12 runners on base after ISU walked seven batters.

It is the seventh time the Sycamores have went into extra innings this season and the 10th time they have had a game decided in the final frame, with ISU falling in six of the 10 outings.

The Sycamores and Bears will do battle again on Friday night at Sycamore Field with first pitch slated for 7 p.m.