For the first time since late February, junior starting pitcher Scott Effross pitched in a competitive environment.
In IU’s 4-0 win, its 11th straight, against Valparaiso Tuesday Effross started and threw one inning after not pitching for three weeks.
“We were just trying to get him back out there in a game environment,” IU Coach Chris Lemonis said. “I think he was up to 92 so that was good. He just looked fresh to me.”
The plan was for Effross to only pitch one inning, Lemonis said. He envisions Effross possibly pitching this weekend at Penn State, but only in a relief role. Lemonis said he didn’t want to rush Effross as he recovers from arm soreness.
Including Effross, seven IU pitchers combined to shutout Valparaiso.
The Hoosier who had the longest stay on the mound at Bart Kaufman Field was freshman Brian Hobbie. He threw three innings striking out four and walking none improving to 3-0 this season. He has also yet to allow a run this season.
“He just comes in and stuffs it in there,” Lemonis said. “He just throws a lot of strikes. It’s good stuff, a heavy fastball, a good breaking ball. He gives himself a chance to have success.”
Hobbie threw 34 total pitches, 27 of them being called for strikes. Hobbie said his breaking ball was working especially well against the Valparaiso hitters, as it has all season.
He said he worked in the offseason with Assistant Coach Kyle Bunn making the break on the pitch sharper and adding more velocity.
Hobbie combined with his six other Hoosier pitchers Tuesday to allow only four Valparaiso hits and seven total baserunners.
Senior catcher Brad Hartong caught three of the seven pitchers as he entered the game at the start of the seventh inning. He caught 28 innings last weekend against Cal State Fullerton.
The starting catcher Tuesday was freshman Demetrius Webb, a player Lemonis said he is hoping will continue to see more playing time.
“We’ve got to get him out there and let him play just in case anything ever did happen or if you’re in a tournament and had to play a lot of games," he said. "We need to develop some guys."
When Hartong entered the game defensively in the top of the seventh IU was leading 1-0. By the time he went back out to catch in the top of the eighth IU was leading 4-0.
Hartong drove in two runs with a one out RBI single up the middle scoring freshman outfielder Laren Eustace and senior outfielder Will Nolden in the bottom of the seventh. Hartong would then score from first after senior second baseman Casey Rodrigue’s double into the left field corner.
It was the only at bat for Hartong during Tuesday’s game, but he did catch the final two innings after his RBI single.
In Hartong’s three innings behind the plate he caught three different Hoosier pitchers. He said this depth is the biggest strength of this IU team.
“Anyone can pitch in any moment for us because we’re that deep,” Hartong said.
The depth of the pitching staff has been one of the primary reasons for IU’s current 11 game win streak. When Effross had to skip a couple starts, junior Caleb Baragar had no trouble stepping in and filling his spot in the rotation.
The IU bullpen hasn't allowed a run in its last 26 innings pitched.
If a starting pitcher struggles early in a game, Lemonis is comfortable playing a bullpen game because of how many pitchers he has at his disposal.
“That’s the strength of our team,” Lemonis said. “It’s hard to beat us when you throw that many good arms.”
