TERRE HAUTE — The first game at the new Bob Warn Field did not provide the desired result for the Indiana State baseball team, the Sycamores dropping their home opener 4-3 to Tennessee-Martin (7-3).
And, “it looked like we were doomed” in the nightcap, said ISU coach Rick Heller, whose team went 3 for 18 with runners in scoring position in a 5-4, 13-inning victory in front of a solid opening-day crowd of close to 500.
ISU (5-4) tied the game on a Kyle Burnam triple in the seventh, and the Sycamores loaded the bases in the 11th. With senior lead-off man Ryan Strausborger at the plate and only one out, ISU was in good shape.
Strausborger hit a whizzing line drive but it was right at Skyhawks second baseman Trey Karlen, who quickly stepped on second base for a double play.
Strausborger bounced back with a towering double in the 13th to push freshman Jordan Pearson over to third base.
Senior Tyler Graham delivered the game-winning hit, a smash that two-hopped the wall in center field with the bases load to score Pearson.
“Very happy we found a way to get a split. We found a way to scrap,” Heller said.
Brett Merkeley earned the win, tossing two perfect innings. Tyler Browning was also effective working out of trouble for the Sycamores in the ninth, 10th and 11th.
“Our bullpen just did an awesome job. Our pitching was great all day,” said Heller, whose bullpen was a major question mark heading into the season.
Joe Rodriguez was solid as the Game 2 starter, throwing 7 2/3 innings and scattering eight hits.
ISU ace right-hander Jake Petricka was dominant behind his 90-plus fastball in the opener, finishing with 12 strikeouts and no walks. But the Skyhawks strung four straight hits together in the sixth inning to score three runs off Petricka, who bounced back by striking out the side in the seventh.
ISU finished 6 for 27 with runners in scoring position in Saturday’s two nine-inning games. The Sycamores were hitting .333 with in those clutch situations on their two season-opening road trips.
The Sycamore hitters faced equally tough pitching. UT-Martin’s Game 1 starter, Coty Green, struck out eight and scattered seven hits in eight innings with no walks.
“It was a combination of our guys maybe pressing a little bit. But I tip my hat to their guys. I saw some guys pressing, but I want to give their guys credit,” Heller said.
The middle of the UT-Martin order found holes in the infield to hurt Petricka. Clean-up man Ty Nelson smashed a double past third base, and Wes Patterson followed that with two-run single through the infield.
“I just got behind on too many counts,” Petricka said. “They’re a good team at hitting the ball on the ground and letting the turf work for them. They found an inning to square a couple up back-to-back and got some quick runs.”
ISU rallied from a 4-1 deficit with a run in the sixth on an RBI single by freshman Robby Ort. Green was strong for two more innings.
Petricka made strides from his last outing, he said, a four-inning performance in which his pitch count got high. Petricka threw 102 pitches in seven innings Saturday.
“That’s all you can ask for right there,” Petricka said of his solid outing.
ISU had a chance in the ninth against Skyhawks closer Wes Alsup, who walked one and hit a batter to give the Sycamores life. Pinch-hitter Steve Ball walked and scored on a line-drive single by Ryan Strausborger, but Alsup came back from a 3-0 count to coax a groundout from ISU third baseman Luke Fieser.
ISU’s Jason Van Skike will start the rubber game of the series today, which will start at 1 p.m. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA and has 12 strikeouts in 10 innings.
• Solid turnout — In the first game at Bob Warn Field, Warn made an appearance and shook hands with all the current Sycamores.
On an afternoon with temperatures in the 40s, a solid crowd of 494 fans turned out.
Top Story 4
ISU baseball opens Bob Warn Field with doubleheader split
- Top Story 4
-
-
10 things to know for Wednesday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about across the nation today:
-
Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain’s tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.
-
Court lets walk-out fines against House Democrats stand
INDIANAPOLIS — House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
BREAKING: Arrest made in Archer homicide
A Terre Haute man has been arrested and charged with felony murder and altering the scene of a death in the homicide of his wife, Kayla Herchelroath Archer.
-
GUEST COLUMN: One Million Bones exhibit meant to raise awareness, inspire action to end genocide
The National Mall: A grassy corridor in Washington, D.C., lined with America’s greatest museums and monuments.
Ending at the U.S. Capitol building, it is a symbol of our belief in the power and greatness of America. Last weekend, we turned it into a mass grave.
-
No ID yet on body found in Rosedale home
Sheriff Mike Eslinger said his department is waiting to obtain an immediate family’s confirmation of a woman found dead in a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane.
-
Police investigating Rosedale homicide
Parke County authorities are investigating a homicide at Rosedale.
Sheriff Mike Eslinger confirmed Friday afternoon that police had been called to a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane on a report of a dead person. -
Homicide suspect’s father: ‘I am so sorry’
The father of a Jasonville man charged with murder broke down in tears following his son’s appearance in Greene Superior Court on Friday morning.
-
BREAKING: Suspects in death of Linton teen arraigned in court
A week after Katelyn Wolfe went missing in Linton, the men accused of killing her appeared in court.
-
10 things to know for Friday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about across the nation today:
-
Katelyn Wolfe homicide: Affidavit alleges men’s scheme
Two friends from childhood allegedly had devised a plan over the course of about a week to rape and kill someone — without having a particular target — before causing Linton teenager Katelyn Wolfe’s death last week, according to court documents released Thursday.
-
End of an era: WTHI-TV anchor Allen has come long way since debut in 1967
Reflecting on his career at WTHI-TV, Jim Swander pokes fun at retiring news anchor Mark Allen saying, “He has made millions by reading a teleprompter at a sixth-grade level.”
-
Police: Suspects posted on Linton teen's Facebook page 'to cover their tracks'
Two childhood friends, over the course of about a week, allegedly devised a plan to rape and kill someone prior to the killing of Linton teenager Katelyn Wolfe, according to court documents released today.
-
UPDATE: Suspect in late-night standoff arrested, to appear in court
A Terre Haute man wanted for a late Wednesday standoff with police has been arrested and is due to appear in court this morning.
-
UPDATE: Semi overturns at Lyford; Mecca man airlifted to Indy hospital
A Parke County man was airlifted to Methodist Hospital this afternoon after he crashed his semitrailer on U.S. 41 just north of Lyford.
-
UPDATE: Missing Terre Haute woman found
A Terre Haute woman who was reported missing earlier today by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department has been found.
-
Analysts: Midwest drivers to see lower gas prices
LANSING, Mich. — The worst may be over for drivers in the upper Midwest who have been grappling with the highest gasoline prices in the continental U.S.
-
Unusually massive line of storms aim at Midwest
WASHINGTON — A gigantic line of powerful thunderstorms could affect one in five Americans on Wednesday as it rumbles from Iowa to Maryland packing hail, lightning and tree-toppling winds.
-
Coroner: Linton teen victim of homicide
Linton teenager Katelyn Wolfe died of asphyxiation in a “manner that is ruled a homicide” Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell said Tuesday night after an autopsy was performed earlier in the day at Terre Haute Regional Hospital by forensic pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.
-
Apple revamps look of iPhone, iPad software
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is throwing out most of the real-world graphical cues from its iPhone and iPad software, like the casino-green "felt" of its Game Center app, in what it calls the biggest update since the iPhone's launch in 2007.
-
Feds back morning-after pill for all girls
NEW YORK — After setting off a storm of criticism from abortion rights groups upset that a Democratic president had sided with social conservatives, the Obama administration said it will comply with a judge's order to allow girls of any age to buy emergency contraception without prescriptions.
-
10 Things to Know for Tuesday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today across the nation:
-
VIDEO: Apple unveils new MacBook Air with improved battery life
At Apple's WWDC, the company shows off its new line of MacBook Air laptops with faster processors and improved battery life. The new models are available in 11-inch and 13-inch dimensions, ranging in price from $999 to $1,299.
-
Fair Association highlights attractions
In less than a month, the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds will be awash in 4-H projects, carnival rides, cotton candy and entertainment as the 2013 Vigo County Fair runs July 7 to 13.
-
Ohio man faces 329 charges in missing women case
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man accused of holding three women captive in his run-down home in Cleveland for a decade and fathering a child with one of them has been indicted on 329 charges including murder, kidnapping and rape, prosecutors said.
-
UPDATE: Man kills 6 in California before police shoot him dead
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A man with a semi-automatic rifle killed at least six people and wounded several others Friday as he carried out a deadly rampage across several blocks of a normally idyllic beachfront city before police shot him dead in the Santa Monica College Library.
-
ISU's Manaea selected 34th overall by Royals
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea selected 34th overall by the Kansas City Royals.
-
I-70 accident snarls traffic for hours
An accident involving a semi-trailer containing hazardous materials shut down eastbound Interstate 70 in Vigo County from near the Illinois state line to Indiana 46 for about six hours Thursday.
-
Report: Government scooping up Verizon phone records
WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency currently is collecting the telephone records of millions of U.S. customers of Verizon under a top secret court order, Britain's Guardian newspaper said Wednesday.
- More Top Story 4 Headlines
-
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies in Wreck
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Marines Land Osprey on Japanese Ship
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Pa. Girl Who Took on Donor Rules Gets Lungs
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Failed Cuba-to-Florida Swimmer Won't Try Again
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
Prosecutors Push for Smartphone "Kill Switch"
Obama Welcomes WNBA Champions to White House
Raw: Australian Begins Cuba to Florida Swim
Google Launches Internet-beaming Balloons
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
