Hoosier bats have gone cold in three straight losses, and Indiana’s at-large hopes are likely dashed
By Carl James @jovian34 May 16th, 2024
6 weeks ago, a ten-game stint where Indiana gives up less than seven runs a game would have seemed like a dream. Hoosier pitching has been that good and consistent. Indiana has lost four of those games, including all of the last three. In the losing streak, Indiana has only score 2 runs per game.
Indiana Hoosiers 2, Michigan Wolverines 3:
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
Devin Taylor lead-off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run. This is the third time in four games the star left fielder has got the Hoosiers off to a lead before the team made even one out. Unfortunately, it again, failed to set the tone for Indiana going forward. That one at bat accounted for half of Indiana’s run production on the day. The other half was also Devin Taylor who hit an RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After the solo shot Michigan turned to the tried-and-true strategy of throwing a ton of off-speed to Indiana hitters and inducing a ton of weak contact. Indiana did manage to outhit the Wolverines 8 to 5 on the game, but Michigan made one big hit count: a double with two on in the fourth by catcher Will Rogers. It was the difference in the game.
The fourth inning was the only one of six where the Wolverines got to starter Ty Bothwell. Reliever Drew Buhr took the loss giving up a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning.
Michigan moves into third place in the B1G Standings, has cliched a berth in next week’s conference tournament, and is still in the hunt for a B1G Title. Indiana is in fifth place, eliminated from title contention, and still needs one win or some help to qualify for next week’s action, Indiana’s 61st ranked RPI is likely well outside the range for at-large consideration. As this is the first of a doubleheader, we will not get a chance to speak with Head Coach Jeff Mercer until after the nightcap. I may edit this piece tonight to include quotes from tonight’s postgame scrum later.