IU @ Illinois, Game 1: Early mistakes and late homer cost IU, 7-5...

[ptrich]

It's RHP Seti Manase on the mound with an ERA of 1.52 in 23.2 IP. Serruto is again behind the plate with Mathison again as the DH.

It's RHP Riley Gowens on the mound for the Illini with an ERA of 5.93 in 41 IP. He is second in the B1G in strikeouts.

It's sunny as it begins to set and 77 degrees at game time and a light wind of 7 mph out of the south and it's blowing out toward the OF.

1st Inning:

T1st:

Glasser K'd looking to start the game and Whalen grounded out to the pitcher.

Taylor then clubbed his 6th homer of the season to dead CF to give IU an early lead of 1-0.

Tibbitts flied out to retire the side.

B1st:

Manase got the leadoff hitter on a GO back to him. He then gave up back-to-back singles to put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.

What could have been a DP, Glasser bobbled the ball at SS, but he was able to get the runner at 1st for two outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd.

A fairly deep fly was snared by Whalen to end the inning.

IU 1 Illini 0

 

[ptrich]

2nd Inning:

T 2nd:

After Mathison K'd to lead off, Pyne then walked to put a runner on, but a couple of flyouts retired the side.

B2nd:

The leadoff hitter fouled out to Serruto. Manase then walked a batter to put a runner on with one out. A pop out to shallow left results in the 2nd out with the runner still at 1st. A routine flyout to Whalen ended the inning.

IU 1 Illini 0

 

[ptrich]

3rd Inning:

T3rd:

It's the 9, 1, and 2 hitters up for IU with Serruto leading off. Serruto flied out to the warning track for the 1st out and we are at the top of the order. Glasser grounded out for the 2nd out.

Whalen doubled to the wall to put a runner in scoring position with two outs and Taylor up.

Taylor grounded out to strand Whalen at 2nd and retire the side.

B3rd:

It's the top of the order up for the Illini and IU pulled Manase and brought in RHP Brayden Risedorph with an ERA of 4.42 in 18.1 IP.

Risedorph K'd the leadoff batter on a WP and the runner reached 1st to put a runner on and no outs and we are going to have to get four outs in this inning.

Risedorph then gave up a double to the wall and the runner that reached on a WP scored to tie the game at 1-1.

A GO moved the runner to 3rd with one out. Risedorph then got a big K for the 2nd out and the runner still at 3rd.

A GO ended the inning and IU got burned on having to get four outs in the inning on the WP K to the leadoff hitter.

IU 1 Illini 1

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

Nice to know Mercer continues to not know how to fix anything. Horrible approaches at the plate with runners on against a guy IU has absolutely torched previously and has been torched in all but one start this year. Also lets give them a free run in the process.

We continue to have a coach who has zero idea how to fix our issues. He is so clueless.

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

And now two free runs. When are you guys going to stop making fun of me and realize we have an incompetent coach who teaches poor fundamentals and does not manage the game well. I am going to get the last laugh in a couple years when he gets fired by IU after a couple more missed postseasons.

 

[ptrich]

4th Inning:

T4th:

IU has the 4 thru 6 hitters up with Tibbitts leading off.

Tibbitts reached on a single where the outfielder tried to get a sliding catch and couldn't handle the ball.

Mathison then singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs.

Pyne hit a hard grounder to 1st that was handled for an out with the runners moving to 2nd and 3rd and one out.

Colopy fouled out to 1B for the 2nd out and IU still has runners are 2nd and 3rd. The last thing IU needed in this situation was a K or a pop out which is what happened.

Cerny K'd to retire the side. All IU needed to do when there was one out was put the ball in play to possibly score or get a SF or hit but they came up empty and missed a big chance there.

B4th:

It's the 6 thru 8 hitters up and Risedorph back out on the mound.

Risedorph got off to a good start by striking out the leadoff hitter. A GO resulted in two outs, but Risedorph then put a runner on with a walk and two outs.

A horrible pickoff attempt by Risedorph resulted in an error and the runner moving to 2nd base with two outs.

A single scored the runner from 2nd for an unearned run to make it 2-1 Illini with two outs. A GO ended the inning.

So far, both of Illinois' runs came off mistakes by IU with the 2nd one unearned.

Illini 2 IU 1

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

4th Inning:

T4th:

IU has the 4 thru 6 hitters up with Tibbitts leading off.

Tibbitts reached on a single where the outfielder tried to get a sliding catch and couldn't handle the ball.

Mathison then singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs.

Pyne hit a hard grounder to 1st that was handled for an out with the runners moving to 2nd and 3rd and one out.

Colopy fouled out to 1B for the 2nd out and IU still has runners are 2nd and 3rd. The last thing IU needed in this situation was a K or a pop out which is what happened.

Cerny K'd to retire the side. All IU needed to do when there was one out was put the ball in play to possibly score or get a SF or hit but they came up empty and missed a big chance there.

B4th:

It's the 6 thru 8 hitters up and Risedorph back out on the mound.

Risedorph got off to a good start by striking out the leadoff hitter. A GO resulted in two outs, but Risedorph then put a runner on with a walk and two outs.

A horrible pickoff attempt by Risedorph resulted in an error and the runner moving to 2nd base with two outs.

A single scored the runner from 2nd for an unearned run to make it 2-1 Illini with two outs. A GO ended the inning.

So far, both of Illinois' runs came off mistakes by IU with the 2nd one unearned.

Illini 2 IU 1

Yup say it. We have an incompetent coach who cannot get his team right. Can't hit against a guy his team has owned last two years. Bats are in a funk our stupid manager has zero idea how to fix it and on top of it we have poor fielding fundamentals he can't seem to get right.

Once we change coaches we will be a yearly postseason again. Not until then.

 

[Orford]

I’m waiting for it dude…

 

[ptrich]

5th Inning:

T5th:

It was the 9, 1, 2 hitters and Serruto fouled out, Glasser grounded out and Whalen flied out fairly deep to retire the side.

B5th:

It's the 2-4 hitters up for the Illini and Risedorph is back out there. Risedorph walked the leadoff hitter. The next batter flied out for one out and the runner at 1st.

Risedorph then gave up a two-run homer to right CF to make it 4-1 and the leadoff walk has come back to haunt IU. Back-to-back GOs ended the inning but the damaged was done.

Illini 4 IU 1

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

Let's go through the list of managing and team mistakes tonight:

1. Continuing to get owned by every pitcher we see. Even one we have torched in three previous times against previously. Every year our bats go into a funk for a few weeks and our dumb manager cannot get us out of it in a timely manner.
2. A free run scored by them on a passed ball
3. A free run scored by them on a failed pickoff
4. Horrible plate approaches with runners on base in fourth
5. Leave Risedorph in way to long.

Either you are going all out for a win and throw your good guys a couple innings at a time as Mercer is doing tonight or your worst guys.

Will you guys please stop giving me a hard time and realize we have a manager who cannot win at the level we need and is not a good developer of talent or teaching fundamentals or in game managing.

When our bats stay in this funk for a few more weeks just like in 2021 and we play our way out of the tournament again you guys are not going to think what I am saying is so funny.

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

I’m waiting for it dude…

I think I have outlined plenty how much fools gold we have going right now and it is not going to be few weeks when we are still in an extended hitting slump for the second time in three years to cost ourselves an NCAA Tourney bid.

 

[BCCHoosier]

I think I have outlined plenty how much fools gold we have going right now and it is not going to be few weeks when we are still in an extended hitting slump for the second time in three years to cost ourselves an NCAA Tourney bid.

Just STFU and enjoy the game. Start your own thread versus ruining every thread on this board. No one cares.

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

Should be about 5-0 IU if none of the five things I mentioned happen. Would be leading if even one of those five things don't occur.


Also stop trying to stretch Risedorph out in a game you are using Manase and throw your best arms out of pen. Risedorph is fine for a couple innings but trying to get more than that out of him when using one of your better openers is a masive mistake. Pick a lane like you did last Friday last week where you either throw your best or worst arms. Can't do both as he is tonight with a mix and lose the first game. Gives you zero chance to win series.

Like I said player development, fundamentals, and in game decisions are all very bad. Mercer is a good recruiter but can't succeed when you suck at three of the four things required things to be a manager.

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

Just STFU and enjoy the game. Start your own thread versus ruining every thread on this board. No one cares.

Not happening. I can't enjoy our team when our manager makes one mistake after another and everyone else acts like it is fine and dandy.

 

[ptrich]

6th Inning:

T6th:

IU has their 3-5 hitters up and IU had better start getting things going at the plate. Taylor leads off with an out on a routine fly. Tibbitts then singled to put a runner on and one out.

On a full count, Mathison popped out on what looked like a golf swing for two outs.

Pyne singled to send Tibbitts to 3rd and and Pyne took 2nd on the throw.

Colopy singled to score both Pyne and Tibbitts to make it 4-3 Illini. Cerny flied out to retire the side.

B6th:

It's the bottom of the order up for the Illini. In a surprise, Risedorph is back out there in an up and down performance so far and he has been charged with 3 of the 4 Illini runs.

Risedorph walked the leadoff batter and the last time he did that the walk scored on a homer.

Mercer went to the bullpen to bring in RHP Wes Burton with an ERA of 0.00 in 8.1 IP.

Burton got the next batter on a routine fly for the first out and the runner holding at 1st.

When Serruto had trouble handling a low pitch the runner attempted to steal 2nd and the runner was thrown out in a close play at 2nd for two outs and no one on.

Burton then walked the next batter with two outs and it's the top of the order up for Illinois.

The runner on 1st attempted to steal 2nd and Serruto threw him out for the 2nd runner thrown out in the inning for Serruto and it ended the inning.

Illini 4 IU 3

 

[Orford]

Waiting for the next dissertation dude….

 

[BCCHoosier]

I'm at the game. Great night with a good size crowd. Hoosiers take the lead.

Great coaching for the first place Hoosiers. Can tell the kids love the coaching staff.

 

[ptrich]

7th Inning:

T7th:

It's the 9, 1 and 2 hitters up for IU with Serruto leading off. Gowens is still out there for Illinois.

Serruto popped out to 2B for the first out and it's the top of the order up in Glasser who is 0-3 so far.

I'm glad I mentioned that Glasser was 0-3 since he then hit a single to put a runner on with one out.

A FC gets Glasser at 2nd with two outs and Whalen on 1st with Taylor up.

Taylor the clubbed a two-out, two-run homer for his 2nd homer of the game and putting IU up 5-4.

Tibbitts flied out to retire the side.

B7th:

It's the top of the order up for Illinois and IU brought in RHP Craig Yoho with an ERA of 1.40 in 19.1 IP.

Yoho quickly put them down in order to end the inning.

IU 5 Illini 4

 

[ptrich]

8th Inning:

T8th:

It's the 5-7 hitters up for IU with Mathison leading off. Illinois goes to the bullpen and brings in their best reliever in RHP Korey Bunselmeyer with an ERA of 1.98 in 13.2 IP.

Mathison leads off with a walk on four pitches. Mathison took off for 2nd on a WP and he slid past the bag and was tagged out for the 1st out.

Pyne reached on an infield hit for a runner on and one out.

Colopy grounded into a DP to retire the side.

B8th:

Yoho is back out there to face the 5-7 hitters. Yoho walked the leadoff hitter and it's the third time that the leadoff hitter has reached in the game on walks.

Yoho then gave up a double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and that walk looks really big now.

Yoho then got a big K for the 1st out.

Yoho then gave up a 3-run homer to give Illinois a 7-5 and with Yoho thowing nothing but fast balls the hitter finally got the timing down on one of them. Yoho has pitched well this season but that leadoff walk seemed to set the stage for a bad inning for him.

Yoho then gave up a single, and the runner advanced to 2nd on a WP.

A walk put runners on 1st and 2nd and one out. A K and a lineout ended the inning but the damage was done.

Illini 7 IU 5

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

One person deserves all the criticism tonight and its Yoho. I have nothing wrong with way Mecer managed arms. Taylor singlehandedly tried to get IU a win forcing Mercer to throw his best arm in pen and he failed you. As a result you used four of your best arms for extended innings and will have zero chance to win more than once tomorrow. No problem going all out for win but your best bullpen guy can’t fall apart. Period. He deserves to feel awful for costing IU the game and probably the series. Inexcusable to be put in a big situation like that and fail after being so perfect all yrs.

 

[ptrich]

9th Inning:

T9th:

IU is down to their last three outs and it's the 8, 9 and 1 hitters up. Illinois went to the bullpen and brought in Joseph Glassey with an ERA of 4.67 in 27.1 IP.

Cerny grounded out for the first out with IU needing a base runner.

Jessee came in to pinch hit for Serruto and he flied out to the wall for the 2nd out. A GO by Glasser ended the game.

Illin 7 IU 5 (Final)

 

[ptrich]

It's baseball and you are not going to win them all but it's easy to point to mistakes in this game that were costly. IU has dropped the first game of the past three weekend series counting the loss tonight and they need the DH sweep tomorrow to win the series. IU outhit Illinois 10 to 8 and everyone in the batting order to start the game had at least one hit with the exception of the 8th and 9th spot in the order. IU had three hitters with a multi-hit game. Taylor and Colopy accounted for all five runs scored.

Taylor was 2 for 4 with both of his hits homers which accounted for 3 RBIs.
Tibbitts was 2 for 4.
Pyne was 2 for 3.
Colopy was 1 for 4 and had 2 RBIs.

IU had one error which was the pickoff attempt by Risedorph on a runner who had reached 1st on a walk, and it was costly as the runner scored from 2nd on a two-out single. Illinois had no errors.

Six of the seven runs scored by Illinois were earned. Here are the numbers for the pitching staff with IU using four pitchers and no one went more than three innings.

Manase: 2 IP, 2 hits, no runs, no Ks, and 1 BB.
Risedorph: 3 IP, 3 hits, 4 runs scored with 3 earned, 3 Ks, 3 BBs, and a WP on a strikeout.
Yoho: 2 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs scored all earned, 3 Ks, and 2 BBs.

After walking the leadoff batter in the 8th and then giving up a double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs, and after a mound meeting, Yoho threw nothing but fast balls and he got the first out on a K, but then the next batter who was one of Illinois' top HR hitters, timed one of fastballs while expecting it, and sent it over the fence for the winning runs.

 

[ptrich]

Here's the link to the box score:

https://static.iuhoosiers.com/custompages/stats/bb/2023/IU34.pdf

Here's the link to the game recap.

Series Opener Slips Away at Illinois - Indiana University Athletics

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In a game that had its fair share of momentum swings, the Indiana baseball program dropped a 7-5 decision to Illinois on Friday (April 14...

iuhoosiers.com

 

[JeanetGrayson]

Hey there! Thanks for sharing the link to the box score. I just checked it out, and it looks like those early mistakes definitely hurt us, and that late homer by Illinois really sealed the deal((

However, do you think our offense could have done more to make up for those mistakes? I'm kinda hopeful for the next game. Go IU✊

 

[Mas-sa-suta]

Just STFU and enjoy the game. Start your own thread versus ruining every thread on this board. No one cares.

Please don't feed the troll.

 

[ptrich]

Hey there! Thanks for sharing the link to the box score. I just checked it out, and it looks like those early mistakes definitely hurt us, and that late homer by Illinois really sealed the deal((

However, do you think our offense could have done more to make up for those mistakes? I'm kinda hopeful for the next game. Go IU✊

Although we certainly made mistakes early on, it looked like we were going to pull this game out late until Yoho threw one too many fastballs in a row to a HR hitter who has 8 homers on the season and he had the timing down. We gave up 7 walks to just 2 walks by Illini pitchers, and that hurt also. We have lost the first game of three straight series but have come back to take the series of the first two, so here is hoping we follow the same script today.

 

[baileyiu]

These players seem to really enjoy playing for Mercer. He must be doing something right!