As usual, IU will start the series with RHP Jack Perkins on the mound with an ERA of 4.30 in 67 IP, while the Gophers will go with RHP Richie Holetz with an ERA of 6.75 in 28 IP. Glasser is back in the lineup as the DH with Goforth at SS. Pyne, who reportedly has been nursing a sore groin, is at 3B after missing the Louisville game. Ellis is behind the plate.
Minnesota@IU, Game 1: IU 8 UMN 6. Late rally avoids a bad loss...
- Thread starter ptrich
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In the T1st, Perkins gets the leadoff hitter on a K, but then gives up a single through the infield and a 4 pitch walk to put two on with one out, and Perkins is not immune to getting off to slow starts. IU gets a DP to end the Gophers 1st.
In IU's 1st, Whalen pops out to lead off and Jessee grounds out, and Pyne strikes out looking to end the 1st.
In IU's 1st, Whalen pops out to lead off and Jessee grounds out, and Pyne strikes out looking to end the 1st.
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In the 2nd, the 5 thru 7 hitters are up for the Gophers. Perkins gives up a ground rule double down the LF line to the leadoff hitter. A WP puts the runner on 3rd with no outs. We are at that part of the Gopher order that has really anemic batting averages and they have a scoring threat with no outs. Perkins then walks a batter, a .227 hitter, to put runners on the corners with no outs. Amazingly, a .198 hitter hits a 3-run homer to put IU in an early hole. A ground out, a K, and a ground out ends the Gophers 1st.
In IU's 2nd, Mathison leads off with a pop out, Tibbetts lines out for the 2nd out, and and Ellis goes down on a K to end the inning and IU is still looking for their first base runner.
In IU's 2nd, Mathison leads off with a pop out, Tibbetts lines out for the 2nd out, and and Ellis goes down on a K to end the inning and IU is still looking for their first base runner.
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Its time to fire the Mercer era into the sun. You can't have a team that is playing for everything come out and play like this. Gophers have not won on the road since February and Perkins has come out and pitched like garbage when we need him most against a horrible lineup.
Also, we are facing a pitcher who has gone more than one inning all year only once and has not been good at all and IU looked befuddled by him.
If Mercer can't get his team to focus against a terrible team at the biggest time we need a change.
Also, we are facing a pitcher who has gone more than one inning all year only once and has not been good at all and IU looked befuddled by him.
If Mercer can't get his team to focus against a terrible team at the biggest time we need a change.
This pitcher sucks and IU is making him look like Nolan Ryan. Mercer and Glant need to be fired after the game.
In the T3rd, IU is off to a horrible start against a bad team as the leadoff hitter reaches on an error at 1st by Tibbetts. Perkins then gets a K for the first out with a runner on. A flyout results in the 2nd out with the runner still at 1st. Another WP by Perkins, his 2nd of the game, moves the runner into scoring position at 2nd, but a ground out ends the inning with the leadoff error no hurting anything.
In the B3rd, Glasser works a walk to leadoff. Doanes reaches on a fielder's choice with Glasser forced at 2nd. Doanes had a hot bat for a while but has gone into a mini-slump of late. Goforth strikes out for the 2nd out and we are at the top of the order in Whalen. Whalen flies out to end the inning and a pitcher coming in with below average numbers has befuddled IU hitters so far, giving up just the one walk.
In the B3rd, Glasser works a walk to leadoff. Doanes reaches on a fielder's choice with Glasser forced at 2nd. Doanes had a hot bat for a while but has gone into a mini-slump of late. Goforth strikes out for the 2nd out and we are at the top of the order in Whalen. Whalen flies out to end the inning and a pitcher coming in with below average numbers has befuddled IU hitters so far, giving up just the one walk.
"Below Average" might be biggest understatement ever. He has not started all year and never gone more more than four innings or 56 pitches this season. Batting wise most embarrassing three innings of Mercer era given who they are facing. Time for a coaching change before he runs program into ground. Can't motivate team.
In the Gophers 4th, Perkins puts them down in order.
In IU's 4th, we are at the 2nd thru 4 hitters and it's time to start getting something going. Like in the previous inning, Jessee leads off with a walk. Pyne singles to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and that is IU's first hit of the game. The pitcher then stumbles off the mound for a balk which puts runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Ellis grounds out to score Jessee with Pyne taking 3rd. An infield hit by Tibbetts scores Pyne from 3rd and IU has a man on 1st with one out and down 3-2. Ellis then walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Glasser strikes out for the 2nd out and runners on 1st and 2nd. Doanes flies out to end the inning but IU pulls within one run.
In IU's 4th, we are at the 2nd thru 4 hitters and it's time to start getting something going. Like in the previous inning, Jessee leads off with a walk. Pyne singles to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and that is IU's first hit of the game. The pitcher then stumbles off the mound for a balk which puts runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Ellis grounds out to score Jessee with Pyne taking 3rd. An infield hit by Tibbetts scores Pyne from 3rd and IU has a man on 1st with one out and down 3-2. Ellis then walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Glasser strikes out for the 2nd out and runners on 1st and 2nd. Doanes flies out to end the inning but IU pulls within one run.
Yeah, I knew I was being kind there.
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Obvious that pitcher entered new territory as he neared 70 pitches that inning. However, Glasser and Doanes let him off hook way to easily when he was struggling with control. Inexcusable.
In the 5th, Perkins is facing the 9, 1 and 2 hitters. Perkins looked like the was getting stronger as he gets the first two batters on a K and a flyout, but a man reaches on a single that got through the infield and then he walks a man to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs with one of the Gophers better hitters up. Perkins then loads the bases after getting two outs by hitting a batter with a .230 hitter up. Perkins then walks the .230 hitter to bring in a run and he has totally fallen apart after cruising through the first two hitters. A base hit scores two more runs and it is now 6-2 and this is incredible as Perkins has given up 3 runs after getting the first two batters. Perkins then hits a batter to load the bases again with two outs. A .231 hitter and a .203 (.198 at the start of the game) hitter have driven in five runs so far in the game. A flyout ends a horrible inning and after closing within one run, IU has to overcome a four-run margin now.
In IU's 5th, the Gophers goes to the bullpen and bring in RHP Sam Ireland with an ERA of 5.09 in 64 IP. IU has their 9, 1 and 2 hitters up and Goforth was robbed of a possible xtra base hit on a diving catch in LF for the first out and we are at the top of the order. Whalen then strikes out and like Doanes he has been in a bit of a slump lately. Jessee then doubles with two outs. Pyne then strikes out looking to end the inning.
In IU's 5th, the Gophers goes to the bullpen and bring in RHP Sam Ireland with an ERA of 5.09 in 64 IP. IU has their 9, 1 and 2 hitters up and Goforth was robbed of a possible xtra base hit on a diving catch in LF for the first out and we are at the top of the order. Whalen then strikes out and like Doanes he has been in a bit of a slump lately. Jessee then doubles with two outs. Pyne then strikes out looking to end the inning.
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Glant has to go more than anything. He can't get his pitchers to focus through adversity and its been a massive problem all year.
Our 'ace' has looked like garbage and can't maintain focus against a terrible lineup.
I'm ready to change staffs before this becomes Bob Morgan 2.0.
Our 'ace' has looked like garbage and can't maintain focus against a terrible lineup.
I'm ready to change staffs before this becomes Bob Morgan 2.0.
In the 6th, IU brings in LHP Ryan Kraft with an ERA of 11.02 in 32.2 IP. Kraft hits the leadoff batter which is IU's 3rd hit batter of the game and the guy he hit had struck out twice earlier. The next batter lined out to Kraft which resulted in a DP as the runner was moving on 1st. A line out to Doanes ends the Gophers 6th.
In the 6th, Mathison grounds out to lead off, Tibbetts strikes out, and Ellis walks to put a man on and two outs. Glasser then singles for his first hit since returning from injury to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Doanes grounds out to end the inning.
In the 6th, Mathison grounds out to lead off, Tibbetts strikes out, and Ellis walks to put a man on and two outs. Glasser then singles for his first hit since returning from injury to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Doanes grounds out to end the inning.
In the 7th, Kraft gives up a single to the leadoff hitter. We've had just about everything else and now we have a passed ball that moves the runner in scoring position at 2nd with no outs. A fielder's choice gets the lead runner at 3rd for the first out with a runner on 1st. Another single puts runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Mercer goes to the bullpen to bring in RHP Luke Hayden with an ERA of 6.04 in 22.1 IP. I believe Hayden leads the B1G in WPs, so we certainly don't need one of those here. Hayden gets a flyout for out No. 2 and then got a runner at 2nd to end the Gophers 7th.
In the 7th, IU is at the 9 thru 2 hitters and Goforth strikes out and Whalen grounds out for the first two outs and IU looks like they are the last place team in the conference instead of the Gophers. Jessee walks to put a runner on with one out. Pyne walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs, and if IU needs a clutch hit, it is now with time running out and Mathison at the plate. We have had just about everything go wrong today and Pyne gets caught off 1st to end the scoring threat and the inning.
In the 7th, IU is at the 9 thru 2 hitters and Goforth strikes out and Whalen grounds out for the first two outs and IU looks like they are the last place team in the conference instead of the Gophers. Jessee walks to put a runner on with one out. Pyne walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs, and if IU needs a clutch hit, it is now with time running out and Mathison at the plate. We have had just about everything go wrong today and Pyne gets caught off 1st to end the scoring threat and the inning.
In the 8th, the 7 thru 9 hitters are up with Hayden still on the mound. Hayden, who gives up an average of one walk an inning, walks the leadoff batter. A SAC bunt moves the runner to 2nd with one out. A deep flyout to RF moves the runner to 3rd with two outs. An intentional walk puts runners on the corners and Mercer goes to the bullpen again and brings in RHP Nathan Stahl with an ERA of 9.67 in 22.1. Runner on 1st then steals 2nd to put two men in scoring position with two outs. A flyout ends the Gophers 8th.
In IU's 8th, the Gophers go to the bullpen and bring in RHP Josh Culliver with an ERA of 4.50 in 18 IP and IU has their 4 thru 6 hitters up. Mathison leads off with a single. Tibbetts walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and the Gophers go to their bullpen with Ellis up at the plate and bring in LHP Jack Liffrig with an ERA of 8.13 in 27.2 IP. They are probably wanting a lefty vs lefty matchup here. Ellis doubles to the wall to score two runs. Glasser grounds out for the 1st out. Doanes singles to put runners on the corners with one out and the score 6-4. Goforth then walks on a 3-2 count to load the bases with the top of the order up in Whalen with one out. Whalen, who had been in a mini-slump, singles to score two and tie the game at 6-6. IU has runners on the corners with one out and the Gophers go to the bullpen to bring in LHP Noah Rooney with an ERA of 5.09 in 17.2 IP. Jessee hits a ball off the plate that is fair and is an easy out at 1st with the runner moving to 2nd and the runner holding at 3rd with two outs. A clutch two-out base hit by Pyne scores two more runs to make it 8-6 IU with a runner at 1st and two outs. Mathison then gets his 2nd hit of the inning to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Tibbetts grounds out to end a very productive inning to say the least.
In IU's 8th, the Gophers go to the bullpen and bring in RHP Josh Culliver with an ERA of 4.50 in 18 IP and IU has their 4 thru 6 hitters up. Mathison leads off with a single. Tibbetts walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and the Gophers go to their bullpen with Ellis up at the plate and bring in LHP Jack Liffrig with an ERA of 8.13 in 27.2 IP. They are probably wanting a lefty vs lefty matchup here. Ellis doubles to the wall to score two runs. Glasser grounds out for the 1st out. Doanes singles to put runners on the corners with one out and the score 6-4. Goforth then walks on a 3-2 count to load the bases with the top of the order up in Whalen with one out. Whalen, who had been in a mini-slump, singles to score two and tie the game at 6-6. IU has runners on the corners with one out and the Gophers go to the bullpen to bring in LHP Noah Rooney with an ERA of 5.09 in 17.2 IP. Jessee hits a ball off the plate that is fair and is an easy out at 1st with the runner moving to 2nd and the runner holding at 3rd with two outs. A clutch two-out base hit by Pyne scores two more runs to make it 8-6 IU with a runner at 1st and two outs. Mathison then gets his 2nd hit of the inning to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Tibbetts grounds out to end a very productive inning to say the least.
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In the 9th, RHP Reese Sharp comes out to try to close it out with an ERA of 7.63 in 43.2, and Sharp has pitched really well of late. Jessee moves to LF, Serruto comes in behind the plate, and Murrison goes to RF in place of Mathison. The Gophers are at the 3 thru 5 hitters in the order. The leadoff batter walks after 11 pitches to put a runner on. Sharp gets a foul out for the first out and the runner still on 1st. Sharp then walks a batter to put the tying run on with one out and we are at the weakest part of the Gopher batting order, but they hurt us earlier in the game. Sharp then gets a K on a 3-2 count for two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd. Sharp then hits a batter after having an 0-2 count, IU's 4th of the game, to load the bases without there being a hit and two outs. Sharp ends the game with a K.
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IU outhit the Gophers, 10-7, and Perkins picked the worst team in the conference record-wise to have his worst outing of the season in giving up 6 ERs in 5 IP. Perkins gave up a 3-run homer in the 2nd to a .198 hitter (at the time) and then gave up three more runs in the 5th after he got the first two batters out in that inning. IU went through five pitchers in this game. We hit four batters and now have 97 hit batters on the season. Two of the weakest hitters in the Gophers lineup had a combined 5 RBIs in the game. In addition to that, we couldn't seem to solve Gopher pitching through seven innings with the exception of the 4th, and were befuddled by pitchers that probably thought they had died and gone to pitching heaven with IU making pitchers with high ERAs look like MLB Hall of Famers. We finally woke up in the 8th and we have done these late rallies a few times this year. Doanes and Whalen broke out of a recent slump to get key hits along with several others to include Pyne and Mathison with two-hits apiece. Tibbetts and Ellis had clutch hits also. Both Nebraska and Northwestern lost today so we have a two-game cushion on them and remain in 7th place, and with Purdue beating Northwestern, they remain behind us by percentage points.
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As you indicated, one could look at it both ways, and as they always like to say there are no bad wins. But for seven innings it looked like we were the last place team in the conference, so we did avoid a bad performance by that 8th inning rally. In the end, the record just shows the wins and losses and not how you got there so we will take it.
I’d say IU won as a team — the hitters had the pitcher’s back.
The length of the baseball season tends to even out the luck.
Any win this year with this team is a "Good" win! Wasn't pretty but it keeps hopes alive. At this point in the season, "Hope is a good thing, may be the best of the things. And a good thing never dies." ~Andy Dufresne
Go Hoosiers!
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We lost a couple of games at Rutgers who is in 1st place after they did what we did tonight with the late comeback, so as you indicated it happens in a long season.
Here's the link to the game recap with a link to the box score:
