IU to play Stanford Saturday

After dispatching both of their opponents by a combined score of 18-3, IU and Stanford will meet in game two of the Bloomington regional on Saturday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the winner of the game will move on in the winners’ bracket for a shot at winning the regional on Sunday.

IU (43-13) comes into the game after beating Youngstown State 10-2, and Stanford (31-23) took care of Indiana State 8-1. Both games took place Friday.

Getting the start for the Hoosiers will be Joey DeNato. On the year he is 12-1 with a 1.77 ERA.

Both teams have the benefit of having fresh bullpens for the game on Saturday.

The Hoosiers were able to rest their No. 1, 2 and 3 starters in the win against Youngstown State. Also, closer Jake Kelzer and first team All-Big Ten reliever Luke Harrison didn’t pitch Friday.

For Stanford, starter Cal Quantrill threw a complete game, four-hit shutout against the Sycamores on Friday, so everyone is available in the Cardinal bullpen.

Projected to get the start for Stanford is John Hochstatter, who has gone 10-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 72 innings pitched this season.

Hochstatter has the best ERA of any Cardinal starter this year, and he has allowed opponents to hit just .202 off him.

As for offense, the Hoosiers will have to slow down the corners of the Cardinal infield.
Third baseman Alex Blandino – the No. 63 ranked prospect in the nation according to Baseball America – and first baseman Danny Diekroger both went 2-for-5 against the Sycamores.

They hit No. 2 and No. 3 in the lineup, and they are both hitting more than .300 this year. In total, five Cardinals are hitting more than .300.

But if trends stay true, it will be a pitchers’ duel.

The two starting pitchers tomorrow, DeNato and Hochstatter, are a combined 22-2 on the year.