Illinois@IU, Game 1: IU 7 Illini 6. IU overcomes unearned runs to win in the 9th...

[ptrich]

RHP Jack Perkins is on the mound for IU and he has an ERA of 4.37 in 55.2 IP, and RHP Cole Kirschsieper is on the mound for the Illini with an ERA of 2.62 in 58.1 IP. Glasser is welcomed back into the lineup as the DH and that adds an additional strong bat to the lineup. Johnson will still be at SS and he has played well there since moving in for Glasser.

Perkins was having some control problems in the 1st and he walked the first batter of the game. He struck out the next batter for one out, but then hit a batter to put two on. An infield hit then loaded the bases with one out and the Illini's best hitter at the plate. Perkins gets a big K on a .360 hitter for two outs with the bases still loaded. Perkins got a ground out to get out of the jam and end the Illini's 1st. Because of control problems, Perkins threw 32 pitches in the 1st.

In IU's 1st, Whalen led off with a double and Jessee followed with another double to give IU the first score of the game at 1-0. Pyne returns to the lineup and he hits a single to score Jessee to make it 2-0 with a man on and no outs. Ellis strikes out for the first out with Pyne still at 1st. A fielder's choice forces Pyne at 2nd with Mathison reaching with two outs. Mathison then steals 2nd. Tibbett's strikes out looking on a 3-2 count to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the 2nd, the Illini are at the bottom of the order. An infield hit put the leadoff hitter on and the runner takes 2nd on a throwing error by Mathison. A ground out moved the runner to 3rd with one out. Another infield hit to the pitcher puts runners on the corners with one out. A WP moved the runner on 1st to 2nd. A flyout wasn't deep enough to score the runner from 3rd as he holds with two outs with runners on 2nd and 3rd. A walk by Perkins loads the bases again for the Illini with two outs. The Illini have loaded the bases in each of the first two innings, but like with the 1st, a ground out ends the inning with no damage done. Perkins is at 57 pitches through two IP so far, so unless he gets more efficient with his pitches, he won't be able to go deep into this game.

In IU's 2nd, Glasser, who was out with a broken finger, grounds out for the 1st out to leadoff. Doanes, who has been a hot hitter for IU of late, singles to put a man on with one out. A fielder's choice moves Doanes to 2nd with two outs and IU is at the top of the order. Whalen then hits a two-out single to score Doanes from 2nd and make it 3-0. The speedy Whalen scored from 2nd on an infield hit to 2B by Jessee to make it 4-0, with a runner on and two outs. Jessee is out at 2nd on a fielder's choice to end a productive inning for IU.

 

[ptrich]

In the 3rd, Perkins who went through 57 pitches in the first two innings, gets the first two outs on just 4 pitches. A single put a runner on with two outs. A ground out ends the inning for the Illini.

IU goes down in order to end the 3rd.

 

[ptrich]

In the 4th, we are at the 8, 9, and 1 hitters for the Illini and Perkins is at 72 pitches, and the Illini go down in order.

In IU's 4th, Glasser and Doanes ground out. Johnson then walks, but is thrown out trying to steal 2nd to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the Illini's 5th, Perkins gets the first two outs on flyouts, but then gives up a solo homer by the cleanup hitter to make it 4-1 with two outs. The next batter singled with two outs. Perkins then walked a batter to put runners on 1st and 2nd, and Perkins is at 100 pitches. Since getting the first two batters, Perkins has given up a homer, single and a walk and we are at the bottom of the order. A pop up ends the Illini's 5th. Perkins is at 106 pitches so his day may be over with since he appeared to be running out of gas after getting the first two outs in the inning and he has a recent history with this team of giving up runs when his pitch count gets high.

In IU's 5th. the Illini pitcher is at 61 pitches. IU is at the top of the order. Whalen leads off with a double and he is 3-3 on the day so far, and it was the 2nd double of the day for him. Jessee grounds out moving Whalen to 3rd with one out. Pyne scores Whalen on a SAC fly to the warning track in CF as IU gets that run back and it's 5-1 with two outs. Ellis lines out to CF on a sliding catch to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the T6th, surprisingly Perkins is back out there with 106 pitches and after he showed signs of running out of gas in the previous inning. With an up and down bullpen, they probably thought it was worth having him work another inning. Perkins gets the leadoff batter on a K. Perkins then hit the next batter and we are at the dangerous top of the order for the Illini. Perkins then walks a batter on a 3-2 count to put two runners on with one out and Perkins is at 121 pitches right now with the best Illini hitters up. Perkins then gets a big out on a K for two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd. Perkins then gives up a single through the infield as the runner on 2nd scores and Mercer finally goes to the bullpen to bring in LHP Grant Holderfield with an ERA of 5.00 in 36 IP. Mercer will be second-guessed on staying with Perkins just a little too long as he leaves with a PC of 128 and he showed signs of running out of gas in the 5th. Holderfield gets the final out on a force out at 2nd.

In IU's 6th, Mathison leads off with a single to shallow right center. Tibbetts then singles to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Glasser with a splint on his finger strikes out for the 1st out. Doanes then gets his 2nd hit of the game to score Mathison from 2nd to make it 6-2. With runners on 1st and 2nd, the Illini go to their bullpen to bring in RHP Ty Rybarczyk who has an ERA of 4.94 in 23.2 IP. The six runs IU has scored are the most given up by the Illinois ace pitcher this season, with his previous high being 4 runs given up. A SAC bunt by Johnson moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd with two outs and we are at the top of the order for IU. Whalen flies out to end the inning, but IU gets that run back.

 

[ptrich]

In the 7th, the leadoff hitter reaches on an infield single and we are at the bottom four hitters of the order. Holderfield then gets a K for the first out with the runner still on 1st. A double scores the runner from 1st to make it 6-3 with one out. Johnson probably saved a run on a hard hit line drive that he had to dive for a short for the 2nd out, with the runner still on 2nd. A ground out ends the Illini 7th and we are at the 7th inning stretch. Johnson has made several great plays at short after taking over for Glasser when he broke his finger.

In IU's 7th, the Illini reliever who is not much of a strike out pitcher, strikes out the side.

 

[ptrich]

In the T8th, after complimenting Johnson in the previous post, he bobbles a ball at short and the runner reaches on an error, Johnson's first of the season. Holderfield then gets a K for the 1st out and the runner still on 1st. We are at the dangerous 3, 4, and 5 spots of the Illini order. A high hopper results in an infield hit as the Illini have runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. IU just missed on a DP ball getting the runner at 2nd for two outs and runners on the corners and the Illini's top hitter is up. A base hit scores an unearned run to make it 6-4 with runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs. Another single scores another unearned run and the Illini have scored two runs because of the leadoff error to start the inning. IU goes to the bullpen to bring in RHP Reese Sharp with an ERA of 9.62 in 33.2 IP. A high chopping hit went over Pyne at 3rd for a double to tie the game with all three runs scored in this inning unearned, and this is the bottom of the order doing the damage. A flyout finally ends the Illini 8th with that error at the start of the inning a huge killer.

In IU's 8th, Mathison singles to lead off, but Tibbetts hits into a DP for two outs. Glasser then walks to put a runner on with two outs. A ground out ends the inning.

 

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In the 9th, the 9, 1 and 2 hitters are up for the Illini. Sharp puts them down in order.

In IU's 9th, IU has their 9, 1, and 2 hitters up. The Illini bring in RHP Joseph Glassey with an ERA of 5.04 in 25 IP. Johnson leads off with an infield single. Whalen gets his 4th hit of the game to put runners on the corners with no outs. Jessee is intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs and Pyne up. Johnson goes for home on a WP but the ball bounced off the wall and Johnson was easily tagged out at home. Runners are on 1st and 2nd with one out. Pyne then singles just past the third baseman to win the the game for IU.

 

[mk30]

Once again, an IU game with a little bit of everything going on. Good, bad, and ugly all rolled into a win. We'll take it. Nothing easy with these guys. 6 of last 7.

 

[Orford]

Huge win! Momentum and confidence growth is clear

 

[Orford]

Not gonna get too much on unearned runs as this is progress. Also consider bad luck bounces helped Illinois tie the game

 

[ptrich]

Once again, an IU game with a little bit of everything going on. Good, bad, and ugly all rolled into a win. We'll take it. Nothing easy with these guys. 6 of last 7.

Take away that 8th and it was a good all-around game for IU. Defensively, Johnson has been great for IU at short while filling in for Glasser, and I'm glad IU was able to overcome that error by him in the 8th since I didn't want this game to define how he has played in an otherwise stellar performance at short on the season so far.

 

[ptrich]

IU outhit the Illini, 14-13. Whalen was 4 for 5 and scored 4 runs. Pyne was 2 for 4 for 3 RBIs and had the game winning hit. Jessee, Mathison and Doanes all had two hits apiece. Doanes got off to a slow start to the season at the plate, but he has been on a tear of late, especially with the clutch hits. Perkins threw 128 pitches in 5.2 IP giving up two earned runs, and he was able to get out of bases loaded jams in the first two innings. Of his 128 pitches, 50 were for balls so he had his work cut out today. Sharp got the win in his 1.1 IP. and lately he has been pitching much better after a disastrous start to the season. IU hit two batters and had just one WP all by Perkins. IU leads the conference in fewest errors but had two today with the last one resulting in the three unearned runs in the 8th.

 

[Orford]

IU outhit the Illini, 14-13. Whalen was 4 for 5 and scored 4 runs. Pyne was 2 for 4 for 3 RBIs and had the game winning hit. Jessee, Mathison and Doanes all had two hits apiece. Doanes got off to a slow start to the season at the plate, but he has been on a tear of late, especially with the clutch hits. Perkins threw 128 pitches in 5.2 IP giving up two earned runs, and he was able to get out of bases loaded jams in the first two innings. Of his 128 pitches, 50 were for balls so he had his work cut out today. Sharp got the win in his 1.1 IP. and lately he has been pitching much better after a disastrous start to the season. IU hit two batters and had just one WP all by Perkins. IU leads the conference in fewest errors but had two today with the last one resulting in the three unearned runs in the 8th.

Agreed on doanes and best part is he’s introduced the right side recently. I’d also note that offensively speaking team is operating the way Mercer said he envisioned (at least in that direction) with aggressive base running and patience at plate / take what’s given. Mercer said this I think his first season when he inherited a bunch of bombers

 

[Dude Where Is My Car]

All I can say is Johnson owes Pyne a steak dinner for bailing him out.

If they had lost this game Johnson would of been single-handedly 100% responsible with the error and then trying to score on that wild pitch. Glad IU still won as like has been said, a loss would of made some people forget how good Johnson has been recently.

 

[Orford]

He has few years to learn the wall at the Bart! If today wasn’t the crash course we hope it was. Pyne though… some big kahonas demonstrated there given I hope all he was concentrating on was a deep fly

 

[ptrich]

All I can say is Johnson owes Pyne a steak dinner for bailing him out.

If they had lost this game Johnson would of been single-handedly 100% responsible with the error and then trying to score on that wild pitch. Glad IU still won as like has been said, a loss would of made some people forget how good Johnson has been recently.

He has few years to learn the wall at the Bart! If today wasn’t the crash course we hope it was. Pyne though… some big kahonas demonstrated there given I hope all he was concentrating on was a deep fly

Yes. That was a mental error on him going on that WP before making sure it didn't bounce back off the wall, but as you alluded to, he's a freshman and this is a learning experience for him in his first year at IU. Pyne bailed him out on the 8th inning error and the 9th mental error, but he made a great diving catch of a line drive that saved a run earlier in the game. Pyne is a local kid coming from nearby Greene County and played at Linton-Stockton H.S.

 

[ptrich]

Here's the recap with a link to the box score:

Walk-off Winner - Indiana University Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the second straight season, the Indiana baseball program walked off Illinois in a series opener, as freshman Josh Pyne delive...

iuhoosiers.com

 

[ptrich]

Well, we are tied for 9th in the B1G right now after the win today and a loss by Nebraska to Iowa today which puts both teams at 5-8 with IU owning a tie breaker right now. After Purdue got swept by Belmont last weekend and then barely beat Valpo during the midweek, I was expecting Michigan to beat them tonight which would have moved us into the 8th spot, but the Boilers clobbered them 18-4 and that is a bad loss for UM which is vying for the regular season championship. We are just talking about the first game of the weekend series being played so I guess I should wait for the dust to settle Sunday night and see where we are at. I just thought it wouldn't hurt to post where we are at going into tomorrow's game.