Hoosiers Rally to Clinch B1G Tourney Berth
Indiana scores three runs in the bottom of the eighth to win series opener
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana baseball can check one thing off its weekend to-do list--qualifying for next week's Big Ten Tournament.
The Hoosiers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday to secure a 6-4 win against Ohio State at Bart Kaufman Field.
The win guarantees IU a spot in next week's conference tournament in Minneapolis, Minn., but the Hoosiers don't want to stop there. They're hoping it's just the beginning of an even bigger postseason run.
"First things first, that's what we were trying to do tonight," senior outfielder Will Nolden said of clinching the bid. "The NCAA Tournament has been the goal all year, so we've got some things to take care of the next two days."
Nolden doubled to right-center to drive in sophomore Craig Dedelow for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Freshman Logan Sowers had tied the game up just a few batters earlier with a solo homer off the scoreboard in left to start the run.
IU head coach Chris Lemonis said the rally came after reminding his team to stay loose in the dugout during the seventh inning.
He praised the mental toughness of some of his hitters, especially Sowers, who had three strikeouts before hitting his game-tying homer.
Heading into Thursday, Ohio State was 27-0 when leading after seven innings.
"We've been able to do that here with all the pressure and everything," Lemonis said. "We've had some guys, Logan Sowers hit that home run after three of maybe the worst at-bats he's had of the year, the first three. But (he had) the mental toughness to keep fighting."
Junior pitcher Will Coursen-Carr (1-1) picked up the win after pitching two innings of no-hit baseball before handing it off to junior Scott Effross for the save in the ninth.
The two combined with sophomore Thomas Belcher to throw five innings and allow just one run in relief of senior starter Luke Harrison.
Harrison's lone costly mistake came int eh fifth inning where he gave up a three-run homer to Ohio State's Pat Porter that at the time tied the game at 3-3.
"I thought Will Coursen-Carr was the big difference maker," Lemonis said. "You've got to get that hold in there. I thought he came in and pitched great."
Dedelow said qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament takes a bit of pressure off IU. Qualifying for the conference tournament was one of the team's goals at the beginning of the season.
But now that they've been able to check that off their list, the Hoosiers have refocused on a loftier goal--qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
"We've still got a lot to fight for," Lemonis said. "They're coming out tomorrow ready to go."
UP NEXT
The Hoosiers and Buckeyes continue their weekend series on Friday, May 9, at Bart Kaufman Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. ET.
Stick around after the game for fireworks! Tickets available by
clicking here.
In the event of a possible schedule change, fans can find the most up-to-date information on IUHoosiers.com and by following
@HoosierBaseball on Twitter.
GAME NOTES
••• With its seventh win in the last eight games, Indiana improved to 30-20 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers clinched a spot in next week's Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis.
••• IU has won the last seven meetings and 12 of the last 13 vs. OSU.
••• Ohio State was 27-0 in 2015 when leading after seven innings. Indiana scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to rally for the win.
••• Indiana has recorded at least 10 hits in 27 games this season, including seven of the last 10 contests.IU hit 11 times led by three from Craig Dedelow.
••• IU has struck out 10-plus batters on 16 occasions this season. The Hoosiers had 11 strikeouts, led by four from Luke Harrison and Thomas Belcher.
•••Senior 2B Casey Rodrigue extended his hit streak to 10 games, tied for IU's longest current spurt.
••• Sophomore OF Craig Dedelow recorded his team-high 21st multi-hit game of the season, matching a career high with three. Dedelow has three games with three hits in the last five and has 11 total hits in the last five contests. Dedelow hit his fifth home run of the season tonight to tie for the team lead.
••• Senior C Brad Hartong registered his third straight multi-hit game, his 18th overall and his ninth in the last 16.
••• Freshman OF Logan Sowers notched his fourth career home run with a solo blast in the eighth.
••• Senior RHP Luke Harrison started for the first time this season and fifth time in his career. Harrison struck out four batters and left the game in a 3-3 tie.
••• Junior LHP Will Coursen-Carr earned his first win of the season (1-1) and eighth of his career (8-3). Coursen-Carr retired six consecutive batters after coming in following a lead-off single in the seventh frame.
••• Junior RHP Scott Effross made his 78th career appearance, the fourth-most all-time at IU. Effross earned his second straight save and now has 12 career saves, tying him with Chris Kockler (1992-93) for fifth all-time in school history.
Go Hoosiers!
Open link for boxscore:
http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/051515aaa.html
Stolen from the OSU site (per eariler MIDDAD post):
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Group tickets and All-Tournament passes to the 2015 Big Ten Baseball Tournament to be held May 20-24 at Target Field, home of Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins, are on sale now. All-Tournament passes, which feature 13 games over five days, are $30 each, while group tickets (minimum 20) are available for $7 per ticket. Single-game tickets are $10 each for adults and $7 each for youth, senior citizens and students with a valid college ID. Individual game tickets for the tournament can be purchased at the Target Field Box Office adjacent to Gate 29 one hour prior to the start of the first game each day. Group tickets and All-Tournament passes are now on sale by calling the Target Field Box Office at (800) 338-9467.
