Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. –  The Shocker bats came alive today as they defeated the Indiana State Sycamores by a final score of 14 – 4. The three game series ended in seven innings as the game was called due to the league mercy rule. WSU took the three game series 2 – 1 and moved their record to 13 – 18 overall and 5 – 1 within the Missouri Valley Conference.

The bats were led by catcher Bob Arens, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI. First baseman Ryan Tinkham had a big game going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run.

Isaac Anderson started for the Shocks and got the win, pitching five innings, allowing no runs on three hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Ethan Larrison took the loss pitching two innings for the Sycamores, while giving up five runs on three hits and three walks.

In the bottom of the second the Shockers got on the scoreboard first courtesy of a three-run home run from Arens. Starter Larrison got out of rhythm in the inning as he walked Chase Rader with one out then balked to move him to second. He then walked Zach Reding before getting the next batter to pop out to the pitcher. All of this led to Arens smashing his first career home run, a three-run shot, over the left field fence. After that Trey Vickers walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Mikel Mucha then stepped to the plate and put a charge into a ball to right, but was robbed by the right fielder, who jumped over the fence to bring the ball back and end the inning.

In the third inning the bats picked up right where they left off in the second. Daniel Kihle got things going with a walk and then stole second to get into scoring position. Tinkham then showed off his power by hitting a two-run home run, the second of his Shocker career. The runs continued to come after starter Larrison was replaced with David Stagg, as WSU scored two runs on wild pitches to build the lead to 7 – 0 after three.

The fourth inning saw WSU continue to cross home plate as the inning began with three walks, while only recording one out. Then with the bases loaded Sam Hilliard lined a ball into center to score one run. Rader followed that up with a two-run double off Indiana State's new pitcher Nick Martin that bounced off the center field fence. Reding kept the center fielder busy by hitting a sac fly to score Hilliard. Keenan Eaton then hit a single to score another run.

The fourth inning finished with more fireworks as Arens hit his second home run of the game. The two-run shot landed on 21st street rolling into the field across the street. In total the Shockers put up seven runs on four hits in the inning.  

In the top of the sixth the Shocks brought in Jon Ferrendelli to pitch with a 14 – 0 lead. The Sycamores brought the top of the order to the plate in the sixth and Landon Curry led off with a walk, then a single moved him to third. A sacrifice fly to left field got Indiana State their first run of the game. After a walk, the Shockers made a pitching change and brought in Reagan Biechler to pitch with runners on first and second. Biechler got out of the jam by striking out the first batter he faced then getting a fly out to right to end the inning.

With a 14 – 1 lead the Shockers were looking to end the game in the top of the seventh. They brought in Chase Williams from the bullpen. He gave up three runs, but only one earned and kept them from having to continue the game. With a 10-run lead in place, the game was called due to the mercy rule.

The Shockers will travel to Austin, Texas to play the University of Texas Longhorns on Tue, April 7. The next set of home games will be next weekend, April 10 – 12, against Illinois State University.

-Wichita State-