B1G Tourney - IU shutout over the last six innings in 4-2 loss to the Huskers...

[ptrich]

IU is the "home" team.

LHP Ty Bothwell is on the mound for IU with an ERA of 4.82 in 74.2 IP and a WHIP of 1.31 with an OBA of .155. The only change to the lineup is that Brenczewski is back at the DH spot. The top of the lineup is Taylor. Pyne, and Mitchell with the middle of the order being Cerny, Tibbitts, and Mathison, and the bottom of order with Oliver, Brenczewski, and Stadler.

It will be LHP Will Walsh on the mound for the Huskers with an ERA of 5.62 in 49.2 IP with an OBA .315.

It's 61 and a mix of sun and clouds and the wind out of the SSE at 5 mph and gusting to 13 MPH.

1st inning:

T1st:

Bothwell gave up a double to the leadoff hitter. A flyout moved the runner to 3rd with one out.

A foul pop up to Stadler got the 2nd out. Bothwell then got a K to retire the side with no damage done after the leadoff double.

B1st:

Taylor Kd to lead off. Pyne doubled with one out.

Mitchell doubled to give IU a 1-0 lead with one out.

Cerny popped up to 1B for two outs with Mitchell at 2nd.

A groundout by Tibbitts ended the inning.

End of 1st: IU 1 UN 0

 

[ptrich]

2nd inning:

T2nd:

Bothwell faced the 5 thru 7 hitters. Bothwell put them down in order to include two Ks.

B2nd:

It's the 6 thru 8 hitters up with Mathison leading off. Mathison doubled.

Oliver grounded out with Mathison holding at 2nd.

Brenczewski flied out with Mathison taking 3rd and two outs. The Huskers challenged that Mathison didn't tag up while moving to 3rd and they lost the challenge and were down to one challenge on the game.

Stadler was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners with the top of the order up in Taylor.

Taylor walked on a 3-1 count to load the bases with two outs and Pyne up. Pyne grounded out to 1B to leave the bases loaded.

End of 2nd: IU 1 UN 0

 

[ptrich]

3rd inning:

T3rd:

Bothwell faced the 8 thru 1 hitters. Bothwell went full on the leadoff batter and he then hit the batter. Bothwell has gone full on several batters so far.

Bothwell then got a K looking for one out and the runner at 1st.

With the top of the order up, a single put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.

Bothwell on another full count got a K swinging for two outs.

Bothwell gave up a two-out, three-run homer to make it 3-1 Huskers. A base hit put another runner on.

On another full count, Bothwell got a K swinging to retire the side.

B3rd:

It's the 3 thru 5 hitters up with Mitchell leading off. Mitchell tripled and Cerny popped up to SS for the first out. I was surprised that wasn't ruled a double for Mitchell and an error since the right fielder bobbled the ball which probably allowed Michell to take 3rd.

Tibbitts hit a SAC fly to score Mitchell. Mathison grounded out to end the inning.

End of 3rd: UN 3 IU 2

 

[ptrich]

4th inning:

T4th:

Bothwell faced the 6 thru 8 hitters with a PC of 60. Bothwell got the leadoff hitter on a swinging K. A pop up to SS got the 2nd out. Bothwell put them down in order on a looking K.

B4th:

It's the bottom of the order up with Oliver leading off. Oliver lined out to 3B.

Brenczewski grounded out for the 2nd out. Stadler was hit by a pitch to a runner on with two outs and the top of the order up in Taylor.

On the first pitch, Taylor grounded out to 3B to end the inning.

End of 4th: UN 3 IU 2

 

[ptrich]

5th inning:

T5th:

Bothwell faced the 9 thru 2 hitters and he had a PC of 73. Bothwell gave up a double to the leadoff hitter on a ball that got past Taylor and the Huskers were at the top of the order. Buhr was warming up in the bullpen.

On a grounder, they tried to get the runner off 2nd and he got back with the batter reaching 1st on a FC and there were runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs.

On a full count, Bothwell got a K for the first out. With runners on 1st and 2nd and one out, IU went to the bullpen and brought in RHP Drew Buhr with an ERA of 3.51 in 41 IP and a WHIP of 1.24.

Buhr got an infield pop up for two outs and runners at 1st and 2nd. A flyout retired the side with no damage done.

B5th:

It's the 2 thru 4 hitters with Pyne leading off. After a fast start to the game by IU with the early doubles, IU's bats have gone silent with the exception of Mitchell's triple. The Husker starter is at 54 pitches.

Pyne popped up on the first pitch for the first out. Mitchell flied out for the 2nd out. On another first pitch swing, Cerny flied out and it was a very quick inning for IU.

This is very similar to IU's Nebraska series in Lincoln where IU couldn't get their bats going and lost winnable games. Hopefully, the hitting wakes up.

End of 5th: UN 3 IU 2

 

[ptrich]

6th inning:

T6th:

Buhr faced the 5 thru 7 hitters. Buhr put them down in order to include a K.

B6th:
It was the 5 thru 7 hitters up for IU with Tibbitts leading off. Tibbitts flied out for the first out. This was a Husker pitcher that came into the game with so-so numbers and was not one of their top pitchers and IU has done nothing against him since the early innings except for Mitchell's hit.

Mathison flied out on another first pitch to an IU hitter for two outs.

Oliver reached on a throwing error with two outs. Brenczewski grounded out to end the inning, and it was another easy inning for the Husker starter.

End of 6th: UN 3 IU 2

 

[ptrich]

7th inning:

T7th:

Buhr faced the 8 thru 1 hitters. Buhr put them down in order.

B7th:

It's the 9 thru 2 hitters up with Stadler leading off. IU has just four hits on the game and those hits were in the first three innings and they have had too many first and second pitch outs making it easy for the Husker pitcher.

Stadler flied out and the Husker pitcher has gone the deepest he has gone in a game on the season, with the Huskers saving their bullpen for what may be a 2nd game today.

It was the top of the order up for IU with Taylor up. Taylor went down swinging. Pyne Kd looking to end the inning, and the Husker pitcher is at 84 pitches through 7 innings.

7th inning: UN 3 IU 2

 

[ptrich]

8th inning:

T8th:

Buhr faced the 2 thru 4 hitters. Colopy replaced Taylor in LF and Taylor's shoulder was being iced down so maybe he had some kind of injury.

After getting the leadoff hitter for one out. The batter that hit the 3-run homer in 3rd for the Huskers' only runs up to this point, hit a solo homer to make it 4-2 and he had all of the RBIs for the Huskers.

With one out, Buhr walked a batter on a 3-1 count. A flyout got the 2nd out with the runner still at 1st.

A pop up to 3B retired the side.

B8th:

It was the 3 thru 5 hitters up for IU with Mitchell leading off and if IU was going to get back into this game it was with the meat of the order up. Mitchell got under a ball for a flyout to shallow CF and the Husker pitcher may go 9 innings with the Huskers not having to use their bullpen.

Cerny reached on an infield single to put a runner on with one out. Tibbitts reached on a FC with Cerny out at 2nd and two outs.

Mathison grounded out to end the inning and IU got their first hit since the 3rd inning on an infield hit which went for naught.

End of 8th: UN 4 IU 2

 

[TomEric4756]

Nebby pitchers seem to have our number so far today… not giving up the walks we feast on for those big innings.

2 out 3 run homer hurt bad.

No errors so far today … defense seems focused.

 

[ptrich]

9th inning:

T9th:

It's the bottom of the order up for the Huskers. A shallow flyout got the first out. Buhr then hit a batter to put a runner on with one out.

An infield hit put runners at 1st and 2nd with one out. A deep flyout moved the runner at 2nd to 3rd and runners on the corners with two outs. A flyout retired the side.

B9th:

It was the bottom of the order up for IU with Oliver leading off and Walsh was back out there to try and get a complete game. Nebraska couldn't have asked for a better situation by not having to use their bullpen at all in this game and having a fresh bullpen for the 2nd game if IU doesn't do something here.

Oliver reached on a single to start things out. Brenczewski Kd on a full count for the 1st out. A FC got Oliver at 2nd with Stadler at 1st and two outs. Nebraska unsuccessfully challenged that Oliver interfered at 2nd.

With two outs, Wiggins came in to pinch hit for Colopy and he Kd to end the game and forced another game today against the Huskers at 6 p.m.

Final: UN 4 IU 2

 

[TomEric4756]

Doubleheader nightcap at 5 central.

 

[ptrich]

If IU doesn't win the 6 p.m. ET game and move on, their only hope of making the Field of 64 will be for the Huskers to win the tournament. If Michigan or Penn St. win the tournament and get the auto bid they will have stolen a bid, and with Illinois and Nebraska considered locks, IU will be out in the cold. IMO, even if the Huskers win the tournament, IU will probably still be on outside looking in, depending on the how many bid stealers there are.

This game was somewhat similar to the Husker series in Lincoln where IU got good enough pitching to win the last two games of that series, but the hitting disappeared. A pitcher with so-so numbers and an OBA of .315 coming into the game, pitched a complete game, with the Huskers not having to go to their bullpen. He looked like a future Cy Young winner with IU hitters often getting one to two-pitch outs to make it easy for him. It looked like IU was going to chase the starter early on with three early doubles and a triple, but someone flipped a switch and IU did almost nothing after that at the plate. IU hitters struck out just five times in the game, but they got only one walk with all of the early swings.

Nebraska didn't hit the ball all that well either, but one player, Josh Caron, went 2 for 4 with two homers which accounted for all four of the Huskers runs today. IU had 4 hits to include three doubles and a triple through the first three innings and then had just two hits the rest of the way, both infield hits, while being shutout in the final six innings.

The Huskers outhit IU, 7 to 6, and IU was 6 for 33 for a team average of .182, while the Huskers were 7 of 35 for an average of .200.

Mitchell was 2 for 4 with a double and triple and 1 RBI. Tibbitts had the only other RBI on a SAC fly. Pyne and Mathison both had an early double. That pretty much sums up IU's game at the plate.

IU had no errors while the Huskers had one error.

Outside of the two mistakes on both of the homers that accounted for all of the Huskers runs, IU pitching did a pretty good job of holding them down, and IU should be able to win games when the pitching holds the opposing team to four runs or less. IU pitching gave up just one walk in the game while striking out 11 batters.

Bothwell (L) - 4.1 IP, 5 hits and 3 earned runs all on a homer, 9 Ks, no BBs, and a hit batter.

Buhr - 4.2 IP, 2 hits and 1 earned run on the solo homer, 2 Ks, 1 BB, and a hit batter.

 

[Orford]

Seems plain and simple Nebraska pitching is better than IU. It really didn’t matter that Nebraska played one more game and I don’t think it will be any easier tonight

 

[ptrich]

Seems plain and simple Nebraska pitching is better than IU. It really didn’t matter that Nebraska played one more game and I don’t think it will be any easier tonight

IU's pitching was good enough to win this game and this game was on the hitting or lack of it. Our hitters chased far too many early pitches in their at-bats in the game and the Husker pitcher was seldom deep in the count and by doing so, he gave up just one walk in the 9 innings. The Husker pitcher entered the game with opponents hitting .315 against him so opponents have hit him pretty well and he had just so-so numbers on the season. He didn't have over-powering stuff and 90 mph was his top speed in the game, so he just kept IU hitters off balance. It was a game that will probably end up being up being the highlight of his college career.

 

[TomEric4756]

Colopy (a SR) replaced Taylor in left … Hope Taylor’s big bat is available at 5pm (even at DH).

 

[Orford]

What happened to DT? I didn’t even see the first game

 

[ptrich]

What happened to DT? I didn’t even see the first game

He was replaced by Colopy in the 8th and he was seen with an ice pack on his shoulder in the dugout, so we don't know his availability status for the later game. I haven't looked around, so maybe there is something out there that explains more about it.

 

[TomEric4756]

If IU doesn't win the 6 p.m. ET game and move on, their only hope of making the Field of 64 will be for the Huskers to win the tournament. If Michigan or Penn St. win the tournament and get the auto bid they will have stolen a bid, and with Illinois and Nebraska considered locks, IU will be out in the cold. IMO, even if the Huskers win the tournament, IU will probably still be on outside looking in, depending on the how many bid stealers there are.

This game was somewhat similar to the Husker series in Lincoln where IU got good enough pitching to win the last two games of that series, but the hitting disappeared. A pitcher with so-so numbers and an OBA of .315 coming into the game, pitched a complete game, with the Huskers not having to go to their bullpen. He looked like a future Cy Young winner with IU hitters often getting one to two-pitch outs to make it easy for him. It looked like IU was going to chase the starter early on with three early doubles and a triple, but someone flipped a switch and IU did almost nothing after that at the plate. IU hitters struck out just five times in the game, but they got only one walk with all of the early swings.

Nebraska didn't hit the ball all that well either, but one player, Josh Caron, went 2 for 4 with two homers which accounted for all four of the Huskers runs today. IU had 4 hits to include three doubles and a triple through the first three innings and then had just two hits the rest of the way, both infield hits, while being shutout in the final six innings.

The Huskers outhit IU, 7 to 6, and IU was 6 for 33 for a team average of .182, while the Huskers were 7 of 35 for an average of .200.

Mitchell was 2 for 4 with a double and triple and 1 RBI. Tibbitts had the only other RBI on a SAC fly. Pyne and Mathison both had an early double. That pretty much sums up IU's game at the plate.

IU had no errors while the Huskers had one error.

Outside of the two mistakes on both of the homers that accounted for all of the Huskers runs, IU pitching did a pretty good job of holding them down, and IU should be able to win games when the pitching holds the opposing team to four runs or less. IU pitching gave up just one walk in the game while striking out 11 batters.

Bothwell (L) - 4.1 IP, 5 hits and 3 earned runs all on a homer, 9 Ks, no BBs, and a hit batter.

Buhr - 4.2 IP, 2 hits and 1 earned run on the solo homer, 2 Ks, 1 BB, and a hit batter.

Fortunately… Nebby should be favored in a final v PSU or UN … I rather beat Nebby once and take my chances …

 

[82IU]

This year's IU baseball is like an old girlfriend who keeps coming around getting our hopes up then disappearing again! VBG! Well I guess it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. If you would have told me IU would be playing for a shot to win the B1G tournament a month and a half ago I would have thought you to be Loco! We didn't even think they were going to make it into the tournament. LOL. Just hold on to your hat, the ride is not over yet!
Just keep on winning Hoosiers!
82

 

[IU Fan 1989]

What time does the game start?

 

[82IU]

What time does the game start?

It was listed to start around 6pm. It should start very soon.