Hoosiers struggle early but have a few silver linings
by Carl James •@jovian34 • February 18th, 2022
CLEMSON, SC – Indiana University Baseball opened up the 2022 season on a beautiful day with a packed house at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Clemson controlled the game from the beginning. Clemson right handed starter Mack Anglin had a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts in the top of the first.
The bottom of the first was rough for Indiana starter John Modungo. Clemson scored three runs on five hits. After the game, Coach Jeff Mercer said, “We knew from the way their offense was designed that the sinker was going to be a little bit more of a difficult pitch to execute consistently.” Modugno got out of the inning when a pitch got away from catcher Peter Serruto, but he recovered and threw out the advancing runner to Josh Pyne at third base.
Modungo was much better in the second inning, despite giving up a solo home run. Modugno then faced the minimum in the third inning in large part due to some great defense including a Morgan Colopy catch and 4-6-3 double play started by Tyler Doanes. Mercer stressed that “John did a really good job composing himself,” and pitched well after the tough opening inning.
Indiana had nothing going in their early innings. Anglin was pitching ahead most of the time and Hoosier hitters were patient. They managed to run up his pitch count, forcing Clemson to go to the bullpen after the fifth inning, but the Hoosiers didn’t have a single hit off of Anglin.
Modugno gave up another run and loaded the bases without getting an out in the fourth inning. Mercer and pitching coach Dustin Glant turned to Reese Sharp. Sharp gave up a run on a sacrifice fly and then ended the inning with two straight strikeouts. Sharp walked a pair in the sixth inning but ended the threat by striking out the side.
Indiana busted up the no hitter in the sixth inning with back-to-back hits by Bobby Whalen and Matt Ellis. After the game, Ellis said, “They were attacking the zone early with a lot of fastballs and we’ve been trained on hitting fastballs more than anyone in America.” Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, Indiana was unable to capitalize on this or any other opportunity in the game. The best shot the Hoosiers had came from Josh Pyne who hit on a ball on a line right to shortstop and ended up doubling off Carter Mathison.
Josh Pyne just misses his first hit and RBI’s as a Hoosier but it leads to 2 instead.
6-0 Clemson at The Stretch
No Lazy Mary #iubase ⚪️🔴⚾️ pic.twitter.com/EAgYCwg8wU— iubase.com (@iubase17) February 18, 2022
Sharp was extended into the seventh inning and ended up loading the bases and giving up a run without recording an out. For the second time in the game a Hoosier reliever came in with no outs and the bases loaded. This time it was Ryan Kraft who also managed to limit the damage.
Ryan Kraft warming up in the pen for IU in the bottom of the 7th.
Sharp is at 56 pitches
6-0 Clemson pic.twitter.com/iznkBwTwx0— iubase.com (@iubase17) February 18, 2022
All together the Hoosiers got 17 of 24 Tiger outs via the strikeout. Coach Mercer highlighted this after the game, “They did a really good job of executing fastballs.” Mercer was also complimentary of the Hoosier’s defensive play, “We played good defense… we took care of the ball.” Mercer was particularly happy with Evan Goforth’s play at shortstop in the eighth inning.
Indiana and Clemson will resume the series Saturday at 3pm. iubase.com will continue coverage throughout the weekend.