IU vs Nebraska and O$U: 5/21 - 5/24/21

[Aaron 4,616]

1-2-3 we go in second.

1-1 to third. Had a chance to take control of this game with the 1st and 3rd with one out in first and didn't, Fougerousse missing the HR by two inches in second. Should be at least 3-0 but instead is 1-1 and Bierman needs to finish guys off now like in first and not second.

Thats what happens when you struggle. Little things don't go your way.

[Aaron 4,616]

And now Barr has an easy grounder go through his glove for one out single. Team just can't do anything right at moment.

[Aaron 4,616]

Strikeout but runner goes to second on steal. 2 outs and inning should be over.

[Aaron 4,616]

Bierman works out of trouble that was entirely Barr's fault. Because of it Bierman already at 60 pitches and may only be able to give you five innings instead of six or seven. 

Will be up to our (relatively rested) bullpen late.  

[Aaron 4,616]

Absolutely disgusting hitting approach last two innings. Burhenn has mowed us down 1-2-3 and barely threw 10 pitches each time doing it after 25 pitch first. 

As I said this teams hitting needs to be scrutinized top to bottom in offseason. Only in 2016 was hitting this bad and we also wasted a fantastic pitching staff much like this year. 2016 was only year in last 9 we didn't make Regional.   

Great pitching is terrific, but when you field this bad of hitting now for second time in five years you have issues. Every other year hitting has been solid and we made Regional. 

Lesson is you HAVE to hit some in today's game of baseball. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Another ridiculous error by Barr on an easy groundball with one out. Barr needs to get his head in the game. His hitting which has been terrific most of season has also hit wall. Need to be the player he is capable of and not doing at plate or in field for most part right now. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Bierman gets out of it with no damage fortunately that time easily outside of error. However, at 80 pitches Barr's errors only going to allow Bierman five innings instead of six. Little things like that matter as series goes on. 

1-1 to bottom 4. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Toetz misses a two run HR by a foot. Nothing he did wrong there, but again when you struggle little things like that go against you.

[Aaron 4,616]

Burhenn is still befuddling us like every other pitcher lately and only at 66 pitches through 4 and that is with several K's which shows how bad our approach is AGAIN at times. Burhenn is solid, but I am convinced we can't hit anyone right now given all the strikeouts and bad plate approaches.

If you can't hit those awful Illinois pitchers last week, it is much more you than what you are facing and it's mostly carried right into weekend outside of Povich somehow who is best guy you faced. 

[CSP 12,273]

44 minutes ago, Aaron said:

It was ruled a hit. Could of been an out, but you can't throw that pitch to a .133 guy in an 0-2 hole for that kind of contact. 

Again.  .. that has to be an out. There is zero reason Tank doesn't scoop that up and make a throw. Zero. 

[CSP 12,273]

15 minutes ago, Aaron said:

Another ridiculous error by Barr on an easy groundball with one out. Barr needs to get his head in the game. His hitting which has been terrific most of season has also hit wall. Need to be the player he is capable of and not doing at plate or in field for most part right now. 

I honestly don't think he's drafted top 20 round, I think he's back next year. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Bierman in big trouble now as first two reach with no outs.

[Aaron 4,616]

Barr misses a tough double play but gets lead runner. Then Bierman hits a batter. Bases loaded one out.

[Aaron 4,616]

OSU singles and its 3-1 them. Not Bierman's best day, but unlike us, OSU knows how to battle and get timely hits. We just look befuddled and confused every guy up there. 

Season's over now unless our offense comes together which I do not see happening. 

Some serious discussions about hitting approach and Held need to be had in offseason. Burhenn is solid, but complete lack of battling him and looking thoroughly confused is the big issue and has happened far to many times this year. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Bierman gets out of it. 5 innings of 3 runs like Brown yesterday. Not his best stuff, but given you chance to win.

Big difference is OSU hitters are being patient and fighting him and getting a couple timely hits. Outside of first, we have not battled in our at-bats AT ALL and look confused. 

It's not the lack of runs we are getting. It's that our approach at the beginning and end of season have been rotten at the core and must change or at minimum we need a new hitting coach of not more.

[CSP 12,273]

Just now, Aaron said:

Bierman gets out of it. 5 innings of 3 runs like Brown yesterday. Not his best stuff, but given you chance to win.

Big difference is OSU hitters are being patient and fighting him and getting a couple timely hits. Outside of first, we have not battled in our at-bats AT ALL and look confused. 

It's not the lack of run support. It's that our approach at the beginning and end of season have been rotten at the core and must change or at minimum we need a new hitting coach of not more.

Agree 100%. I've watched hundreds of SEC and college games and 3 runs in 5 innings isn't some great outing but it legitimately gives you a chance. 

Be like your defense giving up 24 a game in football.. like it isn't the greatest outing ever, but ****... how about one time we go for 11 runs? Wait.. we never do that. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Houston with a solid two out single. Only guy on offense lately who has battled. There is a reason he is leadoff now. As I said Mercer trying everything now which I like. With that said, a much deeper look at plate approach needs to be examined in offseason.

Case in point, Ashley just grounded out on first pitch after single. 

3-1 after 5. 

[Aaron 4,616]

Stahl in to pitch.

[CSP 12,273]

4 minutes ago, Aaron said:

Houston with a solid two out single. Only guy on offense lately who has battled. There is a reason he is leadoff now. As I said Mercer trying everything now which I like. With that said, a much deeper look at plate approach needs to be examined in offseason.

Case in point, Ashley just grounded out on first pitch after single. 

3-1 after 5. 

Ashley and Houston should be your 8 and 9 hole hitters. 

[Aaron 4,616]

3 minutes ago, btownqb said:

Agree 100%. I've watched hundreds of SEC and college games and 3 runs in 5 innings isn't some great outing but it legitimately gives you a chance. 

Be like your defense giving up 24 a game in football.. like it isn't the greatest outing ever, but ****... how about one time we go for 11 runs? Wait.. we never do that. 

As I said serious discussion about how we approach at bats needs to be had and changed in offseason. Lemonis did it 2016 and got us to tourney next couple years with much improved hitting.

Now Mercer and Held need to do same or Held at the very least needs to be replaced.

I have to say, when watching first Parker when he took over head duties against PSU I was thoroughly impressed. When Held took over against PU I was very unimpressed.

I have been overall been extremely impressed with Parker and Mercer (outside of Sommer situation) and it shows with our pitching.

Held on other hand needs some scrutiny. A simple change at hitting coach could do wonders. I would not be against it after this season, but it has to be done after next season if nothing changes. Otherwise Mercer needs to go as well even though he seems to be competent.