Illinois vs IU: IU 8 Illini 1. IU stays alive with a complete game by Brehmer...

[ptrich]

RHP Bradley Brehmer is on the mound for IU with an ERA of 5.89 in 65.2 IP and his WHIP is 1.54, with an OBA of .267.
RHP Riley Gowens is on the mound for Illinois with an ERA of 5.11 in 61.2 IP and his WHIP is 1.23 with an OBA of .216.

IU faced the Illini starter during the regular season and Gowens numbers that day were 4.0 IP, 6 hits and 7 runs all earned although he didn't get the loss in an 11-7 win by IU that day.

In the 1st, Brehmer walks the leadoff man after a 3-2 count. A ball hits off Brehmer and no one can get to it before the batter reached and we have runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Brehmer then gets a DP ball for two outs and with a runner reaching 3rd. A ground out ends the Illini's 1st.

In IU's 1st, Glasser leads off and pops out to the SS. Whalen Ks looking for the 2nd out. A ground out ends the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the 2nd, Brehmer has a very efficient inning putting them down in order to include 2 Ks on just a handful of pitches.

In IU's 2nd, Pyne grounds out to lead off. Mathison grounds out on a close play at 1st and there is a challenge, but it looks like the call will be upheld, and it was for the 2nd out. Ellis strikes out to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the T3rd, the Illini are at the 8, 9, and 1 hitters. Brehmer has another efficient 1-2-3 inning, throwing just a few pitches.

 

[ptrich]

In the T3rd, the Illini are at the 8, 9, and 1 hitters. Brehmer has another efficient 1-2-3 inning, throwing just a few pitches.

In IU's 3rd, we are at the 7 thru 9 hitters in the order. Tibbetts strikes out leading off. After fouling off pitches, Doanes singles for IU's first hit and first base runner of the game. Serruto then singles to put runners on 1st and 2nd and one out, and the bottom two hitters in the order get IU's first hits and we are at the top of the order in Glasser. Glasser singles to give IU a 1-0 lead with runners on 1st and 2nd with still one out. Whalen then grounds out into an easy DP to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the T4th, the Illini are at the 2 thru 4 batters. Glasser is charged with a throwing error that pulled Tibbetts off the bag as the leadoff hitter reaches. Brehmer then gets a big K for the first out the runner still at 1st. A DP ends the Illini 4th. Brehmer is at just 41 pitches through 4 IP.

In IU's 4th, IU is at the 3 thru 5 hitters. Jessee pops out to the SS to lead off. Pyne lines out to LF for the 2nd out. Mathison strikes out to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the 5th, the Illini are at the 5 thru 7 hitters. Tibbetts makes a good play at 1st to get the leadoff man. A foul out to Ellis and a ground out ends the Illini 5th, and Brehmer has another very efficient inning put them down in order. Brehmer is at a PC of 48 thru 5 IP.

In IU's 5th, the Illini pitcher's PC is 61 and we are at the 6 thru 8 hitters. Ellis singles to lead off. A sliding catch of a fly ball by Tibbetts to CF results in the first out with Ellis still at 1st. Doanes gets a ball just past the SS which was scored an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd and Serruto up with one out. Serruto strikes out for the 2nd out and the top of the order is up in Glasser. Glasser flies out to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the Illini 6th, they are at the 8, 9, and 1 hitters. In a tough play, the leadoff man hits a ball off of Brehmer's glove and Doanes throw to 1st was just a tad late as the the Illini have a runner on and no outs. After a very efficient game so far, Brehmer hits the next batter and like with Perkins, that has been a problem with him this season, and we have two runners on and no outs. A SAC bunt moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out. A grounder to Doanes gets the 2nd out at 1st, but the runner scores from 3rd to tie it in what I would label a garbage run, but they all count. There's a runner at 3rd and two outs. Brehmer then gets a K to end the Illini's 6th where they got a run without getting a ball out of the infield.

In IU's 6th, we are at the 2 thru 4 hitters. Whalen leads off and he has been in a slump at the plate late in the season, but he reaches on an error by 2B. The Illini go to the bullpen to bring in LHP Alex Vera with an ERA of 4.37 in 22.2 IP. Jessee walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd and no outs. A SAC bunt by Pyne moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd and one out. A SF by Mathison scores Whalen to give IU the lead 2-1 with Jessee holding at 2nd and two outs. Ellis strikes out to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the T7th, the Illini are at the 4 thru 6 hitters and Brehmer with a PC of 64 is still on the mound. Brehmer gets the leadoff man on a flyout for the first out. A ground out results in out No. 2, but an infield single puts a runner on and we are at the No. 7 hitter. Brehmer then gives up a four-pitch walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. A ground out ends the Illini's 7th and we are at the 7th inning stretch. Brehmer is at 85 pitches through 7 IP, so I suspect they will keep him out there for the 8th.

In IU's 7th, IU is at their 7 thru 9 batters. Tibbetts leads off with a four-pitch walk and the Illini go to the bullpen to bring in RHP Ty Rybarczyk with an ERA of 4.71 in 36.1 IP, and he will face the bottom two hitters in the lineup but both Doanes and Serruto have a hit in this game. Doanes grounds out to the pitcher moving the runner to 2nd and one out. A flyout results in out No. 2 with Tibbetts still at 2nd and we are at the top of the order in Glasser. Glasser strikes out looking to end the inning.

 

[ptrich]

In the T8th, Brehmer is back out there with a PC of 85 and he will face the 9, 1, and 2 hitters. Brehmer gets the leadoff man on a grounder for the first out and the Illini are at the top of the order. Brehmer gets the next batter on a pop out to Glasser for the 2nd out. Brehmer then gets a K to end the Illini's 8th.

In IU's 8th, we are at the 2 thru 4 hitters and we sure could use an insurance run or more. Whalen takes a pitch to the head and is shaken up and is down. Whalen is able to walk off the field, but it's clear that he is bleeding to the left side of his forehead as they are holding a pad to it. Murrison comes in to replace him, and we have a runner on 1st with no outs and Jessee up. Jessee singles to put runners on the corners with no outs. Pyne singles up the middle to give IU a 3-1 lead with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs and the Illini go to the bullpen again and bring in RHP Tommy Green with an ERA of 4.45 in 28.1 IP. Pyne doubles to score another run to make it 4-1 and we have runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs with Ellis up. Ellis walks to load the bases and no outs. IU brings in Vecrumba to pinch run for Ellis at 1st with Tibbetts up. Tibbetts strikes out for the first out bringing up Doanes in the No. 8 spot. An error at SS scores another run to make it 5-1 and the bases are still loaded with one out and Serruto up. Serruto walks to score another run with the bases still loaded and one out and the Illini go to the bullpen again and bring in RHP Ryan Kutt with an ERA of 5.49 in 39.1 IP. IU is at the top of the order in Glasser. Glasser singles to score two runs to make it 8-1 with runners on 1st and 2nd and still one out. A throwing error by the right fielder, Illinois 4th error of the game, resulted in both runs being unearned. Murrison flies out and Jessee grounds out to end the inning.

 

[Mas-sa-suta]

In the Illini 6th, they are at the 8, 9, and 1 hitters. In a tough play, the leadoff man hits a ball off of Brehmer's glove and Doanes throw to 1st was just a tad late as the the Illini have a runner on and no outs. After a very efficient game so far, Brehmer hits the next batter and like with Perkins, that has been a problem with him this season, and we have two runners on and no outs. A SAC bunt moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out. A grounder to Doanes gets the 2nd out at 1st, but the runner scores from 3rd to tie it in what I would label a garbage run, but they all count. There's a runner at 3rd and two outs. Brehmer then gets a K to end the Illini's 6th where they got a run without getting a ball out of the infield.

In IU's 6th, we are at the 2 thru 4 hitters. Whalen leads off and he has been in a slump at the plate late in the season, but he reaches on an error by 2B. The Illini go to the bullpen to bring in LHP Alex Vera with an ERA of 4.37 in 22.2 IP. Jessee walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd and no outs. A SAC bunt by Pyne moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd and one out. A SF by Mathison scores Whalen to give IU the lead 2-1 with Jessee holding at 2nd and two outs. Ellis strikes out to end the inning.

SMALL BALL!

 

[ptrich]

In the 9th, Brehmer is out there to finish it. Brehmer gets the leadoff hitter on a K. Brehmer gets the 2nd out on a ground out. The next batter gets a single to put a man on with two outs. A pop out to Glasser ends it for a complete game by Brehmer.

 

[Orford]

Wow! Way to go Brehmer!

 

[ptrich]

IU plays the loser of tonight's Maryland/Michigan game tomorrow around 1 p.m. in the the 2nd game of the day, and here's hoping it's Michigan since we match up better with them based on the season series with them. The big question for tomorrow's game is who will be on the mound to open the game and my guess is it will be Braydon Tucker. We have already used our most effective (late season) pitchers out of the bullpen in Bothwell and Sharp, with Bothwell starting the game against the Terps, and Bothwell threw 73 pitches while Sharp threw 93 so I assume they are not available in relief. Perkins threw 28 pitches against the Terps on Thursday, so would they use him again for a couple of innings? If it's Tucker on the mound, I would suspect that Kraft would be the first pitcher out of the bullpen. In tonight's game, we outhit the Illini, 8-4, with Glasser the only multi-hit player going 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs. Mathison also had 2 RBIs. Whalen, who took a pitch to the head, is probably out so Murrison will probably be in the CF tomorrow. Brehmer threw 112 pitches with 71 for strikes and gave up 4 hits and 1 ER, 6 Ks, 2 BBs and a hit batter. The lone run scored in the 6th was a garbage run that came about without a ball leaving the infield when the leadoff man who eventually scored, got on after the ball glanced off Brehmer's glove and Doanes couldn't get it to 1st in time to get the runner. Illinois had the better season than IU finishing with an overall record of 30-22 and 17-7 in the B1G, but we took 3 of 4 from them this season counting tonight's win.

 

[mk30]

Brehmer was a gold-plated stud tonight. And you’re right, that one run was junk.

Tucker starting tomorrow is worrisome, but Kraft as the first out of the pen is terrifying. Guess we’ll see if this staff has somehow turned the corner. It’s been a much better showing than I anticipated.

 

[TomEric4756]

Great for the freshman batters to get a tournament win in their 1st season … next year they can act like they’ve been there before.

 

[Orford]

If Brehmer can pitch a full game here Braydon and others can be better than average. We are playing with house money. Remember a month or so ago being here wasn’t likely

 

[mk30]

If Brehmer can pitch a full game here Braydon and others can be better than average. We are playing with house money. Remember a month or so ago being here wasn’t likely

No doubt. But after seeing how they’ve pitched so far, I’m starting to get greedy.

 

[ptrich]

Here's the box score:

Baseball vs Illinois on 5/27/2022 - Box Score - Indiana University Athletics

The official box score of Baseball vs Illinois on 5/27/2022

iuhoosiers.com

 

[ptrich]

Brehmer was a gold-plated stud tonight. And you’re right, that one run was junk.

Tucker starting tomorrow is worrisome, but Kraft as the first out of the pen is terrifying. Guess we’ll see if this staff has somehow turned the corner. It’s been a much better showing than I anticipated.

We have gone through what are our most effective arms at the end of the season, so we have to have our fingers crossed that two or three relievers in the bullpen can step up with solid efforts with some pitchers clearly struggling more than others at this point in the season. There's a slugfest going on in the MD/Michigan game right now with Michigan up 10-7 in just the 6th inning as I post this, and Michigan is on their 4th pitcher right now while the Terps are on their 2nd pitcher, so we have to remember whoever we face tomorrow probably won't have the top of the pitching staff available similar to us. It may be a case of having to outscore our opponent tomorrow in a high scoring slugfest with the hopes that what pitchers we have available can hold them down enough to get the win. Don't forget that while we are worrying about who is going to pitch tomorrow in the early game, we will have to play another game that day if we win which would be the last night game of the day against Rutgers. I would hate to have to decide who goes out on the mound in that late game if we reach it. I guess we first have to worry getting through the early game before even trying to figure out that late game.