In the 8th, Sharp hit the leadoff batter which is the 2nd batter to be hit today by IU and the 33rd hit batter on the season. After a flyout, Sharp gave up a 2-run homer off the scoreboard to make it 6-2. The homer was by Tanner Craig who has the only two hits of the day so far for UE. Sharp then hit another batter after the homer to put a man on first with one out. As good as Sharp was in the 7th, he has been equally as bad in the 8th so far. Sharp then gave up a double to move runners to 2nd and 3rd, with one out. Mercer has seen enough and pulls Sharp before he blows the entire 6-0 lead. In the 8th, Sharp had hit two batters and gave up a double and a 2-run homer. Mercer brought in Modugno who has struggled, and he immediately gave up a wind-aided 3-run homer to Berkey who killed IU in the first game of the series to make it 6-5 IU. An infield hit put a man on 1st with one out. IU got a much needed out when the runner on 1st attempted to steal 2nd and was thrown out by Ellis for the 2nd out and no one on. Modugno then hit a batter for the third hit batter in the inning. Mercer had seen enough of Modugno and went to the bullpen again bringing in Grant Holderfield who has been our most effective reliever but has also struggled in his last two outings. An infield hit put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Holderfield then hit another batter to load the bases with two outs. It was the fourth hit batter in the inning. Holderfield finally got the last out on a K. In this inning, our bullpen gave up the following:
2 homers for 5 RBIs
1 double
2 singles
4 hit batters
IU went down in order in the 8th.