Wright drives in four to lead Sycamores to win
Great Lake Canadians grad Max Wright (Toronto, Ont.) had three hits and four RBIs for the Indiana State Sycamores on Saturday. Photo Credit: Indiana State Sycamores
By Tim McCaughan
Indiana State University Athletics
Sycamore Baseball Rolls Past Jacksonville 13-7 to Secure Series Win
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Indiana State baseball erupted for 13 runs Saturday afternoon to secure the series victory over Jacksonville inside Sessions Stadium. Five Sycamores went for two hits or more led by junior catcher Max Wright (Toronto, Ont.) who finished with three base hits, including a double while driving in four runs.
“Obviously, we were pleased to get some runs up front again,” head coach Mitch Hannahs said. “Collin (Liberatore) pitched well -- I’m sure he was anxious to get out there but I was pleased with how he composed himself throughout his five innings.”
“I think for the most part, you’re glad that you win but obviously we have to focus and make sure we don’t let teams back into a game that we have in control.”
Jacksonville (0-2) jumped out to an early lead after Ruben Someillan crossed the plate on a groundout. Dolphin cleanup man Angel Camacho sent a home run over the wall in left center to make it a 2-0 lead for JU. It was one of Camacho’s four base hits in the game.
It didn’t take long for the Sycamores (2-0) to answer back though, tying the game at two in the top of the second. Romero Harris singled before Joe Boyle reached on a fielder’s choice that recorded no out that allowed Wright to collect his first hit and RBI’s of the contest after singling through the right side to score both runners.
Sycamore starting pitcher Collin Liberatore settled in and held Jacksonville scoreless in the second and his job on the mound got much easier following a six-run outburst by the Trees in which ISU sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the third. Boyle, Wright and Luke Fegen each drove in runs in the inning while Romero Harris plated another run by reaching on an error.
Liberatore, a right-hander, was able to settle in over the next three innings, allowing just one more run. He finished his season debut going five innings total while striking out three and allowing just two earned runs to move to 1-0 on the season.
Sycamore senior Tyler Ward pitched three strong innings out of the bullpen as he continues to rehab. Ward struck out three Dolphins and allowed a pair of runs in the outing.
JU cut the Sycamore lead to 8-5 in the seventh inning before Indiana State got a lift from the bench in pinch-hitter Hunter Lewis who homered in the eighth -- his second career home run at Indiana State.
The Sycamores continued to add on insurance runs late in the game, tallying four runs in the ninth. Lewis again answered the call as he remained in the game as the designated hitter with an RBI single to open the scoring in the ninth. Roby Enriquez added an RBI single before Boyle doubled in a pair of runs to cap off the scoring.
“Frankly, I thought he (Hunter Lewis) was the spark late,” Hannahs said of Lewis. “We needed that spark or things could have been much different. I was pleased with him standing there for a day and a half and getting his number called and going out there and putting together two great at bats.”
Jarrod Watkins, Enriquez, Boyle and Lewis each tallied two base hits while ISU outhit Jacksonville, 15-12. Wright tallied four RBI and Boyle drove in three while Romero Harris and Lewis each drove in a pair of runs for the Sycamores.
Camacho led the way at the plate for Jacksonville with a 4-for-4 day while scoring two runs and driving in two more. Trent Palmer (0-1) was charged with the loss for JU after allowing seven earned runs in two and a third innings.
Indiana State will look for the series sweep Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET at Sessions Stadium.