Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana Baseball: Hoosiers look to stay alive in Big Ten Tournament after upset loss

By Alec Lasley

Omaha, NE - JUNE 26: A general view of the stadium during the National Anthem of game one of the College World Series Championship Series between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on June 26, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Omaha, NE - JUNE 26: A general view of the stadium during the National Anthem of game one of the College World Series Championship Series between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on June 26, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Indiana baseball program had a wake up call when they were upset by the No. 8 seed Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Tournament opener.

After being on top of the mountain last weekend, Indiana baseball came back down to earth with a shocking upset loss.

The top overall seed in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hoosiers took the diamond last night taking on the No. 8 seed, Iowa Hawkeyes, in their opening game.

Completing a season sweep against the Hawkeyes in the regular season, it was a different result last night, falling 4-2 to Iowa.

Scoreless through the top of the sixth inning, the Hoosiers were the first team to get a run on the board, but that didn’t last long.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Hawkeyes responded by scoring three runs, never looking back. An error in the eighth inning for Indiana led to another run for Iowa, extending the lead to 4-1.

A late rally by the Hoosiers fell short as they had two runners on base but ultimately were unable to convert.

Pauly Milto got the start for the Hoosiers and had another great start, going 6.2 innings, giving up three runs and striking out three.

The bats, which had been there almost the entire season, just didn’t show up. The top of the lineup struck out six times, while All-Big Ten First Team selection Matt Lloyd went hitless.

What’s Next?

Indiana now moves into the loser’s bracket in the double-elimination tournament and will have an extremely tough time getting to the Championship game at this point.

Facing off against Minnesota this afternoon at 2:00 pm, Indiana looks to rebound and continue their winning ways against the Golden Gophers. Taking two of three games in the regular season, the winning team scored seven runs in every game.

While no starting pitcher has been announced so far this morning, one prediction is Andrew Saalfrank taking the mound.

In his one start against Minnesota this season, he pitched 5.2 innings, gaving up just one run and striking out six Golden Gophers.

In a must win to keep their Big Ten Tournament alive, what better pitcher to take the mound than the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year.

The other option the Hoosiers could go with is Tanner Gordon. Another starter who took the mound against Minnesota this season, Gordon went 5.0 innings, giving up four earned runs and striking out seven, picking up the win.

Either starter has a good track record against the Golden Gophers and should hopefully get the job done today.

Home/Indiana Baseball