By ISU Sports Information
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Illinois State baseball team began its eight-game stretch in Port Charlotte, Florida, at the Snowbird Classic with a 14-1 defeat at the hands of Indiana Friday afternoon at North Charlotte Regional Park.
In the top of the first inning with no outs, Indiana put runners at first and second with consecutive singles. ISU starting pitcher Jacob Hendren induced fly outs from the next two Hoosier batters and was close to getting out of a jam. Hendren threw a wild pitch on a 3-2 count to the next batter, which allowed the runner from second to score and opened the door for a three-run first inning for the Hoosier’s. ISU never recovered.
“Hart was really good today. He can just flat out pitch,” ISU head coach Bo Durkac said of Indiana’s starter. “Our guys didn’t really get a whole lot to hit. When he needed to make a pitch he made it and you just have to tip your cap to him.”
Hendren bounced back in the second inning by setting the Hoosiers down in order. He didn’t allow a run in the second, third and fourth innings. Thanks to IU’s starter, Kyle Hart, the Redbirds didn’t score in those innings, either. Hart struck out 10 batters in six innings of work.
In the fifth inning, IU’s Luke Miller hit a lead-off triple off of Hendren and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Indiana tacked on another run in the inning to increase its lead to 5-0.
Hendren came out for the sixth and struck out the first batter. Laren Eustace singled up the middle with one out and went on to steal second and third base. With the bases loaded, Indiana’s Craig Dedelow singled in two more runs. Hendren allowed one more run before his day was over. Indiana led 8-0 after six innings.
Eustace continued his great day at the plate with a two-run home run in the seventh inning, increasing the Hoosier’s lead to 10-0.
The Redbirds scored their lone run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Danny Jackson doubled with one out and then Jared Hendren singled in Jackson. IU added four more runs in the ninth on five singles and went on to take down the Redbirds 14-1.
Eustace stood out for IU going 5-6 with a homer and three RBI on the day. ISU’s Jackson, Ryan Hutchinson and Owen Miller doubled in the game. No Redbird had more than one hit.
Hart (2-1) earned the win as he went six innings, struck out 10 batters, gave up three hits and held the Redbirds scoreless. Hendren (0-3) gave up 11 hits and eight earned runs through 5.2 innings in the loss.
The Redbirds head back to the diamond to play Ohio State Saturday. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. CT.
