IU Baseball at Rutgers - 5/7 and 5/8/21 on BTN+

[Aaron 4,290]

That was most nerve whacking game of year, but if we win Big Ten by 1/2 game we can look back.

What a crazy turn of a game to go from dueling no hitters, to both teams staying alive after being down to final strike.

I expect us to get crushed next game given the emotion and how much bullpen used (and Nebraska throwing their one good guy), but if we can win tomorrow, which I fully expect with Bierman in back pocket, we will be sitting pretty with Nebraska 1.5 games in rearview mirror and no worse than tied with Michigan with a series next weekend that if we win, will put us in drivers seat for Championship just like two yrs ago.

Don't like the saving of Litwicki but it worked out. 

 

[Aaron 4,290]

1 minute ago, btownqb said:

I loved the execution of the decision. You have to execute regardless of anything else in sport, and Tucker did, Houston did, Fucci did, Ashley did, Toetz did, Richardson didx2. Fun game. 

Baseball is funky.. offense was awful for 8 innings, then bam. Pitching was essentially very good. 

Its a difference of opinion which is fine and I respect that, but just know mine comes from two respected college coaches who would of frowned terribly on the move. I certainly respect your opinion very much but have to disagree.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,073]

1 minute ago, Aaron said:

Its a difference of opinion which is fine and I respect that, but just know mine comes from two respected college coaches who would of frowned terribly on the move. I certainly respect your opinion very much but have to disagree.

That's fine. We executed above all else. Truthfully.. idc who's in as long as we execute. That bull pen is deep if Tucker and Scott are like your 6th and 7th guys. Then you have guys like Macciocchi and Sharp. Love it. Macciocchis inning was underrated today keeping it at a 1 run lead going into the T9

[Aaron 4,290]

FYI. I am out during game 2 and cannot provide updates, so if someone else wants to take over, please do. 

[Brass Cannon 24,633]

Is game 2 a 7 inning game?

[Hoosierfan1901 6,224]

1 minute ago, Brass Cannon said:

Is game 2 a 7 inning game?

It starts at 3PM EST, but I don’t think so 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,560]

3 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

Is game 2 a 7 inning game?

Since it's a different opponent I wouldn't think so, but purely speculation.

[Aaron 4,290]

Its 9 innings. I am back at home and as predicted we are exhausted and making silly errors. Without a long rain delay, we would of been killed by Povtich, but the rain delay after four chased him which was a huge benefit. No chance Mudungo goes more than 4 or 5 and Povitch goes eight at least. With the bullpen battle we were helped a lot and eventually got the lead on a couple Cole Barr home runs. 

However, we brought Tucker back which I get since Litwicki cannot get a 9 out save. Tucker's pitching was fine, but had a brain fade on a bunt throwing to first with no one there led to two runs and a 6-5 Nebraska lead. If someone remembered to cover we get out of seventh with 5-4 lead, If we hold it its tied at 5. Instead we are down one since the toss was made into RF. 

We have made five errors and as a result down 6-5. Only the two home runs are hits.

[Aaron 4,290]

And now a wild pitch and Fucci forgets to go to second on wild pitch after a double so a double keeps runner at third. Just a terribly sloppy game.

[Aaron 4,290]

Fucci not covering first for Tucker and not going to second on wild pitch now in 8th is reason we are down. If anyone wonders why he is not playing regularly this is why.

[Aaron 4,290]

Full count bases loaded. 2 outs.

[Aaron 4,290]

Houston walks and game is tied!

If Nebraska would stop walking people, they would be way up. We have three hits today but game tied because all of Nebraska's walks. If we stopped committing errors or they would stop walking people one of the teams would be up big. For two teams chasing a Big Ten Title they sure don't look it.

[Aaron 4,290]

6-6 to bottom 8. Remember we have Bierman for tomorrow (who we need a 7-8 inning start from) and they don't have a great second starter. Also we get last at bat tomorrow since Nebraska has it today and it flips each game.

[Aaron 4,290]

Tucker still dealing and gets first out on K. Well over 50 pitches between the two games. Only reason he gave up two runs is his fielding not his pitching. He has been solid.

[Aaron 4,290]

Our bullpen is down to Sharp (who faced one batter yesterday), Litwicki, Jack Walker (who's only appearance this year was to throw an inning in blowout of Minny) or someone who has not pitched yet this year.

Great job by Tucker to get through another inning. Have to assume it's Sharp again in 9th or Litwicki no matter what.

Remember at this dinosaur field here we have no lights, so if it goes much past 11th or 12th we finish tomorrow. 

6-6  to 9th.

 

[Aaron 4,290]

Bottom 9. 6-6. Its Sharp pitching indeed.

[Aaron 4,290]

1 out walk:(.

[Aaron 4,290]

A very unfortunate infield single puts 1st and 3rd one out. Nothing you could do there but that was costly.

[Brass Cannon 24,633]

We weren’t going to get the guy at first so why not try anyway and let a guy get to 3rd. Just dumb 

[Aaron 4,290]

Infield single in perfect spot again wins it. Tomorrow now a must win.