Hoosiers played well, but the Blue Devil’s elite pitching limited Indiana’s offense in key situations
By Carl James @jovian34 February 17, 2024
MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Indiana dropped the season opener to number 12 Duke on Friday in a closely contested game with a final score of 6-3. It was a classic match-up of Friday arms with both starters pitching very well. Teams combined for only six walks and the scoring largely came from home runs.
Indiana sophomore righty Brayden Risedorph went 4 and 2/3 giving up only one run on two hits. After the game, head coach Jeff Mercer was very pleased with Risedorph’s outing. “You couldn’t have asked for a better start.”
Indiana’s pitching strategy this year is to challenging opposing batters in the strike zone and limit free bases. Indiana pitching only walked three Blue Devil’s and only hit one with a pitch. To back that up, Indiana had to play good defense and the team delivered. Mercer said, “the defense was outstanding. Maybe one of the better defended games that… since I’ve been at Indiana.”
Sophomore shortstop Tyler Cerny was very impressive. Indiana did get charged with two errors. One was an errant pick-off attempt and the other was a questionable scoring decision on chopper that Pyne couldn’t quite glove. Cerny almost bailed Pyne out with fielding the backup and the runner just beating the throw at first.
Purdue transfer Jake Stadler was behind the plate and went 1-4 with a gap shot late in the game. “Stadler caught terrific. He just did a really good job: blocked well, received really well.” Brock Tibbitts is expected to play some games at catcher this year, but on Friday he was in his familiar spot at first base where he was picking throws that seemed uncatchable.
Offensively Tyler Cerny lead the Hoosiers with 2 hits including a 2 run home run. Sophomore Devin Taylor had two hits, including a shift beating infield single.
Missing for the Hoosier lineup was expected right fielder and lead-off hitter Western Illinois transfer Nick Mitchell. After the game coach Mercer explained, “Nick got hit by a pitch in the hand two or three weeks ago.” Mercer also said, “he’s doing well, he’s close to swinging again so I think he’ll be back here in the next week or two.”
Mercer went a bit unconventional by slotting centerfielder junior Carter Mathison in the lead-off role. “If you look at his history of the on base, he walks a ton and is a quick strike threat, so similar to Matt Gorski a couple of years ago.” Mercer also said that Mathison “didn’t even know until the game started. It’s a change and you don’t want anyone to overthink it.”
The Hoosiers nine hits and three runs, but struck out 13 times. Duke lefty ace Jonathan Stantucci was electric. “He was good… maybe… he was probably better than advertised.” Mercer elaborated that Stantucci “was a little firmer than I thought. He was every bit of it early and held it and the fastball has unique properties.” Mercer seemed to be happy with the hitting approaches despite only scoring three runs. “We won’t face a better pitching staff all year.”
Most of the scoring came against both team’s first reliever. Junior Ryan Kraft gave up 4 earned runs. Mercer explained the choice, “Kraft was our guy last year. You kind of thought it might be a tough matchup, a strike thrower versus their offense.”
Indiana continues the challenging weekend against number 18 Coastal Carolina, the weekend host. Coastal crushed George Mason last night by a score of 26-0 and just missed a no-hitter by giving up a lone single with two outs in the ninth. Indiana has not yet announced a Saturday starting pitcher. Possibilities include sophomore Connor Foley, Gonzaga transfer Jack Moffitt, and graduate student Ty Bothwell. The game will start at 3pm ET on ESPN+.