Box Score TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -Â Despite allowing just three hits in the game, Western Illinois (1-7) baseball fell to Indiana State (10-1), 4-2, in the weekend opener Saturday (Mar. 8) in Terre Haute. The Sycamores were able to plate three runs in the fourth inning, which proved to be enough as ISU won their 10th straight game."I was proud of the way we played defense, our defense was tremendous today. Again have to reiterate, if we keep playing this way we're going to win a lot of games," said head coach Ryan Brownlee. "Aaron pitched well enough to win today, just made one mistake. You've got to give Indiana State credit; they've won 10 games in a row for a reason, because they're finding ways to win. To beat good programs you've got to play good baseball. We didn't play bad today, we didn't play poorly, but to beat good programs you have to play well."Â
Leatherneck starter Aaron Michel (0-2) matched his season-high with seven innings of work on the mound. The sophomore lefty allowed just two hits and struck out one in the loss.
After a scoreless first three innings, Western took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Tanner Glore and Adam McGinnis both walked and advanced on a double steal to put two runners in scoring position. Glore scored his second run of the season on a Nathan Pollock RBI ground out to put WIU on top.
The Sycamores answered in the bottom half of the fourth with three runs to take the lead for good. Jeff Zahn hit a two-out double down the right field line to score two runs and give ISU the lead. Zahn then scored after Derek Hannahs singled to center to put ISU up 3-1.
Western put across their second run in the sixth inning after neither team scored in the fifth. McGinnis reached second base after a throwing error and stole third base. The freshman then scored his first career run on a Pollock RBI single to right field to cut the ISU lead to 3-2.
The Purple & Gold would not be able to score another run however and ISU scored once more in the eighth to give the Sycamores the 4-2 victory.
WIU out-hit ISU, 5-3, marking just the second time this season that ISU has been out-hit by an opponent. Pollock's two RBIs are also a career-best for the junior.
David Stagg (4-0) recorded the win for the Sycamores, while Ryan Keaffaber notched his fifth save of the season.
Game two of the three-game set will take place Sunday (Mar. 9) at 12 p.m. (CT). Tyler Willman is scheduled to make his third start of the season for the Purple & Gold on the mound.
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