IU’s young pitchers put up good numbers, but it wasn’t enough as No. 7 Oregon State defeated the Hoosiers 1-0 in the 2017 season opener.
The sophomore class was well represented on the mound Friday afternoon as the only two Hoosier pitchers that saw action in the first of two IU baseball games were sophomores Jonathan Stiever and Pauly Milto.
Stiever got the starting nod against the Beavers and proved why he’s the Friday starter on the inexperienced starting staff. The Cedarburg, Wisconsin, native pitched 5.2 innings and let up one run on just three hits, while striking out three along the way.
The lone run of the ballgame came in the bottom of the sixth inning when on an infield single by Oregon State outfielder Steven Kwan to break up Stiever’s streak of nine consecutive batters retired, freshman shortstop Jeremy Houston committed a throwing error that allowed Kwan to advance to second base.
After forcing a ground out by the next batter, Stiever gave up a double to Oregon State’s Christian Donahue and Kwan scored from third. The sophomore pitcher then walked the following two batters to load the bases, at which point Milto was called upon in relief.
It took Milto only one pitch to escape the jam and just seven pitches to get all three Beavers out in the bottom of the seventh. He was back on the mound for the 8th and responded with another quality inning, striking out two in the process.
Junior Luke Heimlich started the game for Oregon State and pitched a gem for the No. 7 team in the country. The left-hander also lasted 5.2 innings, surrendering four hits and striking out a career-high 11 batters.
IU outhit Oregon State 5-4, but was unable to capitalize on any of its opportunities. The Hoosiers failed to record a single hit with a runner on base (0-9), let alone with runners in scoring position (0-8).
Oregon State only got one hit with a runner on base, yet it was enough to sink IU. The Hoosiers left nine men on base, compared to six by the Beavers.
IU was led at the plate by sophomore catcher Ryan Fineman and junior outfielder Laren Eustace, who each picked up two hits in the losing effort.
Sophomore Matt Lloyd started at third base over sophomore Luke Miller and went 0-4 with four strikeouts in his IU debut. Miller pinch hit for Eustace in the ninth inning and reached base on a fielder’s choice.
IU returns to the field at 4 p.m. to take on Gonzaga in the second game of today’s doubleheader.
Spencer Davis
