HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — Emil Estrella hit two home runs and drove in five runs, and the Indiana State pitching staff combined to hold Western Kentucky to three hits over the final seven innings as the Sycamores evened their weekend series with an 11-6 victory over the Hilltoppers on Saturday afternoon at Nick Denes Field.

The game, which began under afternoon sun and concluded in the evening, saw Indiana State improve to 7-7 overall, while Western Kentucky fell to 8-8.

The most important sequence of the game came in the top of the second inning, transforming a scoreless contest into a commanding lead the Hilltoppers could not overcome. After a walk and a hit batter, Nomar Garcia singled through the middle to drive in the game’s first run. Eddie Alonso followed with a bunt single to load the bases for Estrella. The Sycamores’ right fielder then launched a grand slam over the left-field wall, staking Indiana State to a 5-0 advantage before many in the crowd had settled in.

Western Kentucky responded with three runs in the bottom half of the frame off Indiana State starter Ty Brooks. Reid Howard doubled and later scored on a two-run double by D. Stewart. P. Coley added another run-scoring double to cut the deficit to 5-3. Brooks settled after the rocky inning, finishing with five innings pitched, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts to earn the win.

Indiana State methodically extended its lead. Garcia drove in another run with a groundout in the fourth, and Caleb Niehaus added an RBI bunt single in the fifth to make it 7-3. Caden Miller hit a solo home run in the seventh, and Jeremy Martinez followed with an RBI double.

Estrella, the clear standout, capped his day with a solo shot to left-center in the eighth inning, his second homer of the game, finishing 3 for 4 with five RBIs. He has now driven in eight runs in the first two games of the series.

The Sycamores’ bullpen sealed the victory. Owen Roberts relieved Brooks and threw 3 2/3 hitless innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out four. Aaron Moss recorded the final out with a strikeout after Western Kentucky mounted a late rally in the ninth.

The Hilltoppers scored three times in their final at-bat against Roberts. L. Arroyos delivered a two-run single, and Howard followed with an RBI single to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle. Moss entered and struck out Alberto M. to end the game.

Howard led Western Kentucky offensively, going 3 for 5 with an RBI and two doubles. The Hilltoppers used six pitchers, with starter Declan Francis taking the loss after surrendering six earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Indiana State outhit Western Kentucky 14-11. The victory avenged a one-run loss to the Hilltoppers on Friday night. The teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday.

The result defied the pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 6-5 Indiana State win, while its ELO system gave Western Kentucky a slight 50.9% probability of victory.