April 18, 2021

No. 22 Sycamores Run-Rule Valpo to Claim Four-Game Sweep

By Tim McCaughan

Indiana State Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The No. 22 ranked Indiana State Sycamores earned its fifth-consecutive victory Sunday afternoon at Bob Warn Field as the Sycamores run-ruled Valparaiso, 12-1, in seven innings to claim its second sweep of the season.

Offence was easy to find as the Sycamores (20-8, 7-1 MVC) put up crooked numbers in the first, third and fourth innings while ISU pitching was stout throughout.

DH Ellison Hanna II led the way at the plate with a 3-for-3 day while driving in a team high four runs. The Nassau, Bahamas native connected on his second home run of the season in the third inning and fell a double short of the cycle. Aaron Beck continued his scorching weekend at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in while Max Wright collected his team-leading eighth home run of the year in the fourth. Wright (Toronto, Ont.) hit a 3-1 pitch to right centre. An inning earlier he dropped a bunt single

Wright is hitting .310 with seven doubles, eight homers and 20 RBIs. He’s carrying a 1.077 OPS through the first 28 games of the season.

ISU recorded seven extra-base hits, including four doubles while outhitting Valpo 12-5. The Sycamores also drew five walks while Indiana State arms did not issue a walk.

Tyler Grauer made his second start of the season for the Sycamores, going five complete and striking out six. The lefty allowed just three hits and one run on the day as he improved to 2-1. Cam Edmonson and Javin Drake tossed scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Drake struck out two in the seventh while Edmonson fanned one in the sixth.

The Sycamores opened the game with four runs on three hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Wright put ISU ahead with a sacrifice fly before Brian Fuentes doubled home two runs with a ball to right field. Hanna II recorded a two-out triple to bring in the fourth run of the inning.

ISU sent nine batters to the plate in the fifth, scoring five runs on five hits, including a two-run home run over the wall in right field from Hanna II. With two outs, Josue Urdaneta singled and Schaffer singled to setup a two-run double from Beck to cap off the frame. Wright’s solo homer in the sixth extended the lead over Valpo to 12-1.

Zach Fricke fell to 0-2 on the mound after giving up nine earned runs in 2.2 innings. Jon Tieman struck out five for the Brown and Gold in 2.1 innings. Brady Renfro led Valpo at the plate with two of the teams five base hits – including a solo home run in the fifth.