MSU @ IU, Game 2: IU run-rules MSU in 7 innings, 14-2...

[ptrich]

It will be RHP Ben Grable on the mound for IU with Stadler behind the plate. Grable has an ERA of 4.38 and a WHIP of 1.54 in 24.2 IP. He has 25 Ks to 12 BBs and an OBA of .268

The batting order is Taylor, Dickerson, Hanley, Cerny, Brenczewski (DH), Denny (back at RF), Malamazian, Moore, and Stadler.

MSU will have RHP Nolan Higgins on the mound with an ERA of 3.71 and a WHIP of 1.44 in 34.0 IP. He has 20 Ks to 19 BBs and an OBA of .231.

As I post this, it's 48 degrees with the high today expected to be 55. No precip is expected today. The wind is W at 8 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

T1st:

Grable hit the leadoff batter, and in yesterday's game, a hit batter in the 1st gave MSU a quick lead with the hit batter scoring.

A SAC bunt moved the runner to 2B with one out. A groundout moved the runner to 3B with two outs.

A flyout retired the side with the hit batter stranded.

B1st:

Good start for IU with Taylor and Dickerson both reaching on singles with runners at 1st and 2nd.

Hanley walked on a full count to load the bases with no outs. With that walk, the MSU starter now has as many walks as he does Ks on the season.

Cerny was hit by a pitch to give IU a 1-0 lead.

Bruzewski singled to drive in Dickerson and Hanley giving IU a 3-0 lead with no outs and runners on the corners.

Denny Kd for the first out.

Malamazian hit a double to drive in two more runs with Cerny and Brenczewski both scoring.

Moore singled to drive in Malamazian to make it 6-0. Moore was thrown out trying to take 2nd.

Stadler grounded out to end the inning.

The weakness of MSU's pitching is their bullpen and it looks like we are going to get to the pen early in this game.

End of 1st: IU 6 MSU 0

 

[ptrich]

T2nd:

Grable faced the 5 thru 7 hitters and the leadoff hitter shot a ball off the ankle of Grable and reached 1st on an infield hit. Grable then got a K for the first out. a flyout got the 2nd out with the runner still at 1st.

An infield pop up retired the side.

B2nd:

It was the top of the order up with Taylor at the plate and he grounded out as did Dickerson for two outs.

Hanley homered to RF to give IU a 7-0 lead. Cerny was hit by a pitch for the 2nd straight inning. Brenczewski grounded out to end the inning.

End of 2nd: IU 7 MSU 0

 

[kraft cheese+macaroni]

Is Wiggins hurt?

 

[ptrich]

Is Wiggins hurt?

His batting average is the only thing hurting him and he is in a major slump at the plate. They are giving him a break from the game for a while with Denny playing RF.

 

[ptrich]

T3rd:

Grable faced the 9 thru 2 hitters and he got the first two batters on a flyout and a K.

A two-out triple put a man at 3rd. A single gave MSU their first run. A flyout retired the side.

B3rd:

Denny led off the inning and he Kd.

Malamazian doubled to put a man in scoring position with one out.

Moore grounded out with Malamazian taking 3rd and two outs. The ball hit the pitcher who was in a lot of pain but he was able to shake it off.

Stadler walked on a full count to put runners on the corners with the top of the order up in Taylor and two outs.

Taylor walked on a 3-1 count to load the bases with two outs and Dickerson up.

Dickerson singled to score both Malamazian and Stadler to make it 9-1 IU.

That chased the Spartan starter with RHP Zach Maxey relieving him and he had an ERA of 3.44 and a WHIP of 1.36 in 18.1 IP.

Hanley singled to score Taylor. Cerny hit into a FC to end the inning.

End of 3rd: IU 10 MSU 1

 

[ptrich]

T4th:

I thought Grable had another inning in him, but Mercer brought in RHP Cole Gilley with an ERA of 3.34 and a WHIP of 0.96 in 32.1 IP and he put them down in order.

B4th:

It's the 5 thru 7 hitters up and Brenczewski flied out to lead off. Denny Kd looking for two outs. Malamazian Kd as IU went down in order.

End of 4th: IU 10 MSU 1

 

[ptrich]

T5th:

Gilley faced the 8 thru 1 hitters and he put them down in order for the 2nd straight inning to include two Ks.

B5th:

It's the 8 thru 1 hitters up with Moore leading off and he singled to put a man on.

Stadler singled to put runners at 1st and 2nd and no outs.

Taylor flied out with both runners reaching 2nd and 3rd with one out.

Dickerson doubled to score both Moore and Stadler to make it 12-1.

Hanley singled to score Dickerson to make it 13-1.

Cerny doubled to put runners at 2nd and 3rd and one out.

A Brenczewski SAC fly scored Hanley with Cerny taking 3rd and two outs.

Denny Kd to end the inning.

End of 5th: IU 14 MSU 1

 

[ptrich]

T6th:

Gilley was back out there and he got the leadoff hitter on a flyout. A batter reached on a single. A foul out got the 2nd out with the runner taking 2nd. A double gave the Spartans their 2nd run with two outs. A groundout retired the side.

B6th:

It's the bottom of the order up with Malamazian leading off. MSU went to the bullpen and brought in RHP Tommy Szczepanski with an ERA of 5.68 and a WHIP of 2.05 in 6.1 IP.

Malamazian Kd to lead off. Moore singled and Stadler was hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd and one out.

Taylor popped out and Dickerson flied out to end the inning.

End of 6th: IU 14 MSU 2

 

[ptrich]

T7th:

Gilley was back out there to close it out. He got a K to get the leadoff hitter. A flyout got the 2nd out. He then hit a batter to put a runner on. Another flyout ended the game.

Final: IU 14 MSU 2

 

[ptrich]

With the 2nd game fast approaching as IU goes for the sweep, this recap will be brief. The hitting, pitching and fielding were all excellent in this game. Dickerson, Hanley, and Brenczewski accounted for 10 of the 15 RBIs in the game. Here is the box score.

Baseball vs Michigan State on 4/7/2025 - Box Score - Indiana University Athletics

The official box score of Baseball vs Michigan State on 4/7/2025

iuhoosiers.com

 

[Orford]

His batting average is the only thing hurting him and he is in a major slump at the plate. They are giving him a break from the game for a while with Denny playing RF.

I saw a Mercer interview claiming his foot is hurt but I assumed it was slump and matchup vs lefty yesterday before hearing he may be injured. I didn’t get impression was anything but day to day and overly cautious but also convenient given recent production

 

[ptrich]

I saw a Mercer interview claiming his foot is hurt but I assumed it was slump and matchup vs lefty yesterday before hearing he may be injured. I didn’t get impression was anything but day to day and overly cautious but also convenient given recent production

Maybe he was trying to play through a foot injury which has played a role in his plate slump. He played an entire game in right field before he was replaced in the lineup, so there's that.