PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Indiana State rallied for seven runs in the sixth inning to even the series with Vanderbilt thanks to an 8-1 win at Charlotte Sports Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Sycamores (3-2) battled back to tie the game in the fifth inning after a one-out double from Jeff Zahn and a walk to Kaden Moore put the one-run Vanderbilt (3-2) lead in jeopardy. Commodores’ starter John Kilichowski punched out his ninth batter of the game before handing the ball to Hayden Stone with two outs in the inning to face Derek Hannahs, who had doubled twice off Killichowski already. Stone, however, could not find the strike zone walking two straight batters on eight pitches to force in the tying run.
The wheels fell off for the Commodores in the sixth when the Sycamores put up seven runs on six hits to take a commanding lead. Andy Young led off the inning with a double to left field that was misplayed by Nolan Rogers allowing Young to go to third. Back-to-back singles put the Sycamores in front and ended Stone’s afternoon. Tyler Ferguson entered the game but was greeted by a double from Moore and left six batters later with the Dores down 6-1. Ryan Johnson made his collegiate debut with the bases loaded and two down and after a two-run single ended the long inning with his first career strikeout.
The Vandy offense struggled late in the game with only one base runner over the final six innings. The Dores opened the game with a double from Dansby Swanson, and Zander Wiel cashed in on the opportunity with one out in the inning, lacing a single to left-center field for a 1-0 VU lead in the first. Indiana starter Jeff Degano settled down, however, and allowed only four more hits over his final six innings to earn his second win of the season.
Stone took the loss for the Commodores allowing three runs on three hits while recording just two outs. The loss overshadowed a strong outing from Kilichowski, who struck out a career-best nine batters over 4.2 innings. Wiel paced the offense with a pair of singles.
Vanderbilt and Indiana State are set to wrap up the series in Port Charlotte, Fla. tomorrow at noon CT with the series on the line.
