Indiana pitching did its job holding a powerful Bulldog offense to 6 runs, but the offense scattered hits and left runners on base in 6-2 loss in Indianapolis.
By Carl James @jovian34 March 28th, 2024
Butler has just one pitcher with a WHIP under 1.5 on the season. That is Ben Whiteside, who still gave up a lot of runs and averages 2.1 innings per outing. He started this game and managed to hold Indiana to four hits and 1 run in 4 full innings. Indiana took no advantage of the 1.8 WHIP relievers who combined to also hold Indiana to one run. All told this combined group allowed an average of just one baserunner per inning.
Indiana Hoosiers 2, Butler Bulldogs 6:
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
An atypical Thursday through Saturday four-game series setup what was essentially a late mid-week game in Indianapolis. The game plan for Indiana is to keep the opponents under 7 runs and score double digits. Butler lined up their statistically best relief pitchers, but even that shouldn’t have stopped an offense that scored big runs against teams like Dallas Baptist and Coastal Carolina on the weekend.
The radio broadcast described the strike zone as larger than normal, but Hoosier hitters did not adapt and watched strike three five times in the game including three times after the fifth inning. The Hoosiers 1-4 hitters went 2-13 on the day, with both hits coming off the bat of Devin Taylor. The other four hits were from 5 through 8 in the order. Both runs were manufactured via outs, one came off of an inning-ending double play where the last out was tagged.
Indiana threw five pitchers and although Aydan Decker-Petty allowed 3 in the first inning, he pitched a scoreless second and at no point did the Hoosiers allow an inning to get away from them. Brandon Keyster was most impressive with two innings facing 7 batters, only giving up a double and not walking anyone.
Indiana and Butler move the series to Bloomington Friday at 6pm. Grad student Ty Bothwell will get things going on the mound at 6pm.