SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Connor Strain was sharp for the bulk of the game for the University of Evansville baseball team, but his effectiveness was canceled out with a seven-run seventh inning for Indiana State as the Purple Aces fell in 10-4 fashion to the Sycamores in the opening contest of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship at Hammons Field.
Strain, who sat down 10 consecutive ISU batters at one point, was dealt the loss, giving up five runs (three earned) over six-plus innings of work. The Shelburn, Ind., native was named to the conference's first team earlier this week, and he racked up seven strikeouts while tossing a season-high 120 pitches.