Once again, the Indiana baseball Hoosiers fell behind early (4-0 in the 1st) and were never able to recover as they dropped Wednesday's contest at home against in-state foe Indiana State (27-12) by a score of 17-4. The Hoosiers were outhit 15-8, committed 3 errors and were essentially outplayed by the Sycamores in virtually all aspects of the game. Jerry Kleman got the start on the mound and ultimately took the loss as he yielded 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings of work.
Player of the Game - Tyler Rogers
Rogers went 2-4 with a pair of doubles and a run batted in. The offense didn't do much against ISU, but Rogers was one of the few bright spots.
Stat of the Game - 12 Walks
Indiana's pitchers allowed 12 bases on balls on Wednesday. Clearly, that is far too many free passes. At the very least, the Hoosiers hurlers need to give themselves a chance by throwing strikes and letting the defense (which I know has been porous at times) make plays behind them.
Breakdown - Pitching?
While I understand that IU's pitching is very thin when it comes to mid-week games, I was nevertheless disappointed by yesterday's lopsided defeat. Yes, ISU has a good record and is a very solid team by all accounts, but I still thought the Hoosiers should have given them more of a game at the very least. This makes 3 lopsided losses in the last 4 games. Let's hope this is not a trend that continues and that the Hoosiers get things turned around this weekend against Purdue.
Next Up - Purdue (24-16)
Conference arch-rival Purdue comes to town for a crucial 3-game set. Both the Hoosiers and Boilermakers sit in a three-way tie for 5th in the Big Ten Standings at 6-6, 1 game back of four teams tied for first heading into this weekend. Obviously, this series will be huge for both squads.
Go Hoosiers!
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Disappointing in-state loss, but the real in-state games are this weekend. Time to break away from the pack with a sweep!
ReplyDeleteThis program has made such great strides under Tracy Smith but the one thing that has plagued them is inconsistency. Inconsistency in a group, whether it be a team or a business, usually starts at the top and that may be the problem here. Too much lineup and pitching staff maneuvering often puts unneeded pressure on the kids to perform. Something else that upsets me is that I have heard that our skipper has been shopping himself around for other jobs over the last couple of years. If he truly wants to build something here he needs to put an end to that. Beat the Boilers!!
ReplyDeleteyour skipper has never shopped himself around. ugly rumor.
ReplyDeleteI think if he was shopping himself around, he would have left after last year. IU was a hot tourney name and produced a LOT of draft picks. That was the year to go if he wanted to go or if anyone wanted him. I do agree that the lineup changes create pressure, but kids need to handle the pressure. Being up in the 9th inning down by 1 with bases loaded and 2 outs is pressure.
ReplyDeleteThink about entering a name bc it makes things easier to follow when there are 3 different people posting as anonymous back to back to back. I'll take 3-0 or 2-1 vs. Purdue, but we cannot let them take the series if we want to stay in the hunt for the conference title and a good seed in the tournament.
ReplyDeleteWell which one is it? Your opening sentence sings Smiths praises for the advancement of the program - then you lament his leadership.
ReplyDeleteInconsistent…yes…kids 17-21 tend to be that way…Pressure? We talking about pressure? Kids either want to play or they don’t…if you don’t want to be the guy batting with basses juiced and 2 outs with a full count in the bottom of the 9th…you prolly should stick with Call of Duty…unless that game is too much pressure also.
Freshman can be exceedingly inconsistent…as Phegley wss inconsistent and Arnett was inconsistent and Squires was inconsistent as a Freshman…pressure to perform for these guys turned into to ability to be successful
You do realize the same leader that you claim causes them to be inconsistent because he puts too much pressure on them to perform is the same leader who assists them out of their inconsistency to perform magnificently as juniors…
Nasty rumors about Skip shopping himself only serve to dampenr recruiting…are you a closet UK fan?
Lost 7 to the draft and 1 to free agency - and still in the hunt for the top of the Big Ten
Yep, Scott...this season is already more than I had expected!! They aren't out of it yet!!
ReplyDeleteGO HOOSIERS!!