In a game that saw both teams go scoreless for 10 straight innings, Indiana State plated the winning run in the bottom of the 16^th inning on Tuesday evening to post a 2-1 victory over Valparaiso at Bob Warn Field in Terre Haute, Ind.

“This was a well-played game,” head coach Tracy Woodson said.  “Both teams had opportunities on the night; we just didn’t take advantage of ours.”

Both teams had numerous chances to win the game earlier in the night, as Indiana State left 24 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the second, third, fourth, 12^th, and 15^th innings.  Valpo stranded 17 runners in the game, including the bases loaded in the eighth and 16^th innings.

Indiana State (29-9) scored first in the bottom of the third on a two-out single by Tyler Wampler that scored Jeremy Lucas.  That would be the Sycamores’ lone run until the 16^th.

Valpo answered in the fourth as Spencer Mahoney (LaGrange Park, Ill./Lyons Township H.S.) scored on a single by Billy Cribbs (Rochester, Mich./Rochester H.S.) after moving to third on a balk.

Both pitching staffs worked out of jams throughout the night, as the Sycamores threw out two Crusaders at the plate and Andrew Bain (Indianapolis, Ind./Park Tudor H.S.) saved a run in the 15^th with a defensive play ranging far up the middle.

The Sycamores won the game in the 16^th after back-to-back walks and a bunt by Jeff Miera that was thrown down the right field line for an error, which scored Kyle Burnan.

The Crusaders tallied 18 hits on the day, the sixth straight double figure hit total for the Brown and Gold.  Will Hagel (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect H.S.), Manning, and Mahoney each had three hits to pace the offense.  Indiana State finished the game with 12 hits.

“We swung the bats okay today and didn’t strike out much,” Woodson added.

Kurt Kudrecki, the eighth Indiana State hurler of the game, earned the win (2-1), working the final inning of relief.  Zack Walsh (Batesville, Ind./Batesville H.S.) suffered the loss (1-2), allowing the unearned run in the 16^th inning.  Will Robinson (Placentia, Calif./Valencia H.S.) started and worked four innings for Valpo before Sean Kennedy (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township H.S.) went the next four.  Ben Mahar (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein H.S.) worked another three, taking the game to the 12^th.

“We pitched outstanding,” Woodson concluded.  “We threw strikes.  It’s tough to lose games like this when you have the opportunities.”

Valparaiso (15-20) will return home on Friday to begin a three-game series against Butler.  First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Emory G. Bauer Field.