TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Kamryn Link homered and drove in four runs, and Western Illinois used a six-run sixth inning to blow open a close game and defeat Indiana State 13-3 on Wednesday at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium.

The Leathernecks improved to 15-29 overall, while the Sycamores dropped to 26-22.

Link, a right fielder, went 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs. He had been 0 for 4 in a loss to Tennessee-Martin on May 3 but rebounded with a strong performance. Isaiah Monge also had three hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Joshua McClintock added three hits and two RBIs.

Western Illinois scored first in the top of the second inning when Link hit a solo home run to right field. The Leathernecks added two more runs in the inning on a throwing error by Indiana State pitcher Breyllin Suriel and a sacrifice bunt by Krayton Morse. The Leathernecks led 3-0 after two.

Indiana State threatened in the bottom of the first, putting two runners on base, but could not score. The Sycamores loaded the bases with two outs in the first on a double by Emil Estrella and walks to Mason Roell and Nick Sutherlin, but Cade Miller grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Western Illinois extended its lead in the fourth inning. Monge singled and later scored on a wild pitch, and Morse scored on a passed ball to make it 5-0.

The big inning came in the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Cordell Coburn walked to force in a run. Link then delivered a two-run single to score Wandel Campana and Liam Bushey. Monge doubled to score Coburn, and McClintock doubled to score Link and Monge. The Leathernecks sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs, taking an 11-0 lead.

Indiana State finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Colin Sander walked, moved to third on a single by Jeremy Martinez, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mason Roell. The Sycamores added two more runs in the seventh. Carter Beck walked and scored on a single by Roell, and Martinez scored on a single by Nick Sutherlin. Indiana State trailed 11-3 after seven.

Western Illinois answered in the eighth. Gage Hoover singled and scored on a single by Liam Bushey, making it 12-3. The Leathernecks added another run in the eighth on a fielder’s choice.

Western Illinois used eight pitchers. Billy Humphrey started and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out two. Karsten Stotlar struck out one in a scoreless third. Brett Buchanan pitched a scoreless fourth. Jason Buhl allowed one run in the fifth. Cade Sonoqui pitched two innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out three. Harrison Dubois pitched a scoreless eighth with one strikeout. Relievers combined for 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits.

Indiana State starter Breyllin Suriel pitched three innings, allowing four hits and one earned run with two strikeouts. Five relievers followed, allowing nine runs (five earned) on 10 hits.

The Leathernecks had 14 hits. Monge, McClintock and Link each had three. Indiana State managed six hits, with Jeremy Martinez and Mason Roell each collecting two.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Indiana State 7, Western Illinois 6, and its ELO system gave the Sycamores an 86.60 percent probability to win.