Indiana uses 10 pitchers, allows 20 hits in series-deciding defeat during Big Ten series opener
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach March 24th, 2024
29 minutes and 12 batters later, the first Big Ten series of the season for Indiana seemed all but over. The top of the third inning was a slugfest for the Illinois offense, plating eight runs and forcing the Hoosiers to send three pitchers to the mound in the frame.
Indiana Hoosiers 8, Illinois 15:
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
The rubber game of the three-game set began with junior Ryan Kraft toeing the slab for the fourth start of his career. The southpaw was named to the first-team All Big Ten after tossing over 61 innings and amassing a 2.48 ERA last season. However, things haven’t gone his way, or of any Indiana hurler not named Connor Foley so far this year.
Kraft surrendered three runs in the first, ending his day early as he completed just two outs. Aydan Decker-Petty, one of Indiana’s few rested arms remaining, came out of relief, inheriting a runner and allowing him to score. He followed up with a clean second inning but the snowball effect took off, as a walk, double, and a home run called for a new arm out of the Indiana bullpen.
“Getting those guys as much experience as possible to be able to help us out and give us more options, it goes a long way,” Jeff Mercer said. As an advocate of letting his young arms get in on the action, he chose to go to freshman Ryan Rushing. The Florida native, named the No. 32 left-handed pitcher coming out of high school, had himself a learning experience. Rushing left pitches over the plate, leading to four additional runs tacked on in the third inning. “He’s kind of like Bothwell-esque… I would like to see more from him, to attack his way through strikes,” Mercer mentioned.
Illinois led 12-0 by the end of the frame. The dugout portrayed emotions of defeat and the contest became more about getting reps. Jack Moffitt, Drew Buhr, and Jacob Vogel combined to complete 3.2 innings, blanking the Illini offense.
Grant Holderfield, Eli Shaw, Seti Manase, and Brandon Keyster became the final four of ten total pitchers to take over. They combined to suffer three runs in the final three innings. As a staff, Indiana gave up 20 hits throughout the matinee.
The Hoosiers’ bats got going just a tad too late, scoring eight runs in the final four innings.
Joey Brenczewski and Nick Mitchell stayed hot after their multi-hit performances yesterday, smacking four hits and five RBIs between them. Tyler Cerny impressed with a 3-4 day at the dish, improving his batting average to .358. However, Mercer alluded to a slight issue stating “We’ve got three or four offensive guys that aren’t playing very well right now. We’re going to have to make some adjustments with guys…and it’s got to be a work week offensively for us to be better.” As a team, IU finished 10-37 with a 6-23 effort with runners on base.
Indiana falls back to .500, now sitting at 12-12. They drop the initial conference series at home, losing the finale 15-8, and allowing 25 runs within the three games.
The Hoosiers have allowed at least 8 runs in every loss this season. They look to get the pitching staff on track starting Tuesday, March 26 as Middle Tennessee comes into Bloomington for a midweek duel.
Jeff Mercer and Co. will need length from its bullpen as they proceed with a four-game non-conference series against Butler, beginning on Thursday in Indianapolis.