IU Takes Game 2 4-3 to Sweep Doubleheader

It took extra innings, but when the dust settled on Saturday, the Hoosiers had added a pair of crucial conference W's to the season's win column. IU capitalized on 5 innings of one-run baseball from freshman Jonny Hoffman to take an early 2-1 lead, and while an error ultimately allowed the Hawkeyes to even the score at 3 in the 9th, Chris Squires held down Iowa in the 10th as the Hoosiers pushed one across in the bottom half of the inning to to seal the deal. The win moves IU to 4-4 in Big Ten action and 18-15 overall.

Click here for the box score and here for the recap of both games from IUHoosiers.com.

Player of the Game - Jonny Hoffman
While it was tempting to give this one to Jerrud Sabourin given that he had 3 hits, I am going to give the "game ball" to Hoffman. It was a surprise to even see the freshman take the mound to start the second game of yesterday's twin bill as Matt Igel was slated to start, but the young right-hander certainly didn't disappoint. Hoffman tossed 5 strong innings and allowed just single run on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3. Great effort overall.

Stat of the Game - Srikeout:Walk Ratio at the Plate
The Hoosiers struck out 7 times while recording only 1 walk in Game 2 to follow up a 6 strikeout, 1 walk effort in Game 1. Needless to say, IU's hitters need to be more patient and disciplined at the plate.

Breakdown - Pitching was the Difference
Surprisingly enough, it was the pitching and not the hitting that powered the Hoosiers in this one. Hoffman, Igel, Walker Stadler and Chris Squires combined to hold the Hawkeyes to just 1 earned on 9 hits, and I can't say enough good things about how the pitchers threw on Saturday. Let's hope for more of the same moving forward.

Next Up - Going for the Sweep
The Hoosiers have already secured their first Big Ten series victory of the year, and today they will go for the sweep. First pitch is slated for 1:00pm ET at Sembower Field in Bloomington.

Go Hoosiers!