Indiana (0-4) came into Cary, NC looking to find a spark after a disappointing first weekend, and they found that and much more.
Indiana took care of business, completing the round-robin sweep, and finishing the weekend 3-0.
Following a weekend marred by inconsistency and untimely mistakes, the Hoosiers flipped the script this weekend, blowing out Fordham and Harvard, and winning a tight one against Big Ten foe Northwestern.
The weekend was highlighted by noteworthy performances from redshirt sophomore Joey Brenczewski (8-13, 8 R), redshirt sophomore outfielder Korbyn Dickerson (8-15, 10 RBI), redshirt senior pitcher Gavin Seebold (6 IP, 1 ER), and graduate student pitcher Drew Buhr (4 IP, 0 R).
A game-by-game analysis:
Game 1: Indiana 15, Fordham 2
Like in many games previous, Manager Jeff Mercer’s squad had myriad opportunities to break this game open, only this time they took advantage of them.
Fordham issued 14 walks, five hit-by-pitches, and allowed 12 hits in the affair, giving Indiana a green light to take over this game. And while they left 16 men on base, the Hoosiers knocked them in when they needed to, cashing in enough runs to blow out the Rams.
Gavin Seebold was excellent to begin the game, with his only earned run allowed coming in the first inning. He cruised from then on, allowing one hit and one walk over his next five innings. The game was sealed with scoreless innings from sophomore pitcher Ryan Rushing and freshman pitcher Trey Telfer in relief. Freshmen pitchers Caleb Koskie and Brayton Thomas also notched their first appearances of the season in the win.
Game 2: Indiana 14, Harvard 4
Soon you will have to pay big bucks to watch Cole Gilley in person. Gilley dealt once again, allowing two runs over 6 IP, fanning seven while only issuing one walk. Seth Benes followed up Gilley, and was punished for a one-out walk, as he gave up a two-run homer to the next hitter. However, the game was already in Indiana’s hands by then, and scoreless outings from Anthony Gubitosi and Jackson Yarberry put this game away.
At the plate, the Hoosiers stayed hot. The Crimson issued 12 BB’s and 4 HBP’s, but Indiana made the most of it with Joey Brenczewski, Devin Taylor and Korbyn Dickerson going a combined 10-14 with 10 of Indiana’s 12 RBI’s.
Game 3: Indiana 4, Northwestern 3
This was the style of game that Indiana lost last weekend in Arizona. With eleven men left on base and digging themselves an early 2-0 hole, the Hoosiers pulled it off in dramatic walk-off fashion.
The winning moment came in the bottom of the ninth inning. Tied 3-3, with runners on first and second, Mercer pulled freshman Catcher T.J. Schuyler off the bench to hit. As expected, he showed bunt in an effort to move the runners over, but he pulled it back, swung, and walked it off for Indiana. This was Schuyler’s first career hit for Indiana, and what a time for it.
On the mound, it was another solid showing from the Hoosier pitching staff. Peter Haas got his second start, allowing two runs over two innings. However, Indiana gave up only one run over the next seven innings, including 4 scoreless innings from Drew Buhr, and a bounce-back outing from Henry Brummel. Although Brummel gave up the game tying run in the ninth, Ben Grable got the last out, allowing for the ensuing walk-off.
Overall, this was a great weekend for Indiana Baseball. The bats came alive and staff allowed nine runs across 27 innings of work.
Their next action comes on Wednesday, February 26th at 2pm as they take on Xavier for the first game of the season at Bart Kaufman Field.
Photo Credit: IU Athletics
