TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Missouri State had plenty of chances Saturday afternoon at Indiana State, stranding 11 total runners and six in scoring position, but couldn't come up with the big hit in a 3-0 loss to the Sycamores at Bob Warn Field.
 
ISU's Brennyn Cutts (3-1) took the shutout in the seventh and Jared Spencer recorded final eight outs for the save, while Luis Hernandez hit an RBI double in the fourth and a two-run double in the fifth for the entirety of the Sycamores' (16-5, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference) offense.
 
The Bears (10-11, 1-1) loaded the bases in the second inning but were thwarted by a nice defensive play by ISU shortstop Randal Diaz, and saw the same situation ended on a called strike three to finish the seventh.
 
Jason Schaaf (0-1) went 4.1 innings in the start, Kaleb Thomas recorded two outs, and Hunter Day tossed three scoreless innings to finish it on the mound.
 
Offensively, Taeg Gollert and Tyler Epstein recorded two-hit days for the Bears, who were shut out for the first time since March 28 of last season.
 
The rubber match of the series is set for 12 p.m. Central on Sunday.