Hi all,
Sorry the reaction was delayed. My brand new HP didn't want to connect to the internet for some reason, but enough of my personal problems.
IU swept its Saturday doubleheader, cementing its series against Penn State, 2-1. The win keeps IU among the Big Ten's most successful as it is tied with Ohio State for the No. 1 spot at 8-3.
The IU players certainly new as much. After game 2 of the doubleheader was over, they all road down the street -- horns honking as they all collectively waved a No. 1 in the air.
IU did a lot to reach that point.
The Hoosiers lost a 9-7 heartbreaker Friday, with shortstop Jake Dunning striking out to end the game.
IU fell into a hole early, something it has been prone to do. But the Hoosiers worked their way back into it and had the bases loaded for Dunning after a three-run seventh inning. Blake Monar (4-2) allowed nine hits and seven runs, all earned.
Dunning and IU recovered, plural. IU won two in differing fashions. The first was a landslide 15-1 victory that saw Arnett (8-1) go six and two-thirds innings, strike out seven and only allow one out. He hasn't had run support in many of his starts, but received ample Saturday.
The Hoosiers posted a run in all but the fifth and sixth innings, which included a six-run first. Evan Crawford was a major catalyst in IU's win. He posted a career-high 5 RBI. Jake Dunning wasn't far behind with four. Crawford was 3-for-5 in the game and Dunning was 3-for-4. Tyler Rogers also made a difference, staying o the base path and scoring three runs to go with his lone RBI.
Game 3 was not as easily won. Matt Bashore (3-3) returned to form once more, though, he used a different style to get outs. Usually a strikeout pitcher, Bashore forced groundouts for the game's entirety. He faced 27 batters and only allowed six hits and two earned runs.
Once he was done, Chris Squires came in and immediately exerted command from the mound. He struck out three and left a Penn State batter swinging to end the game, suspending him in the same fashion Penn State had done Bashore in game 1. He collected the save and IU won its second Big Ten series.
IU will next take the field against Louisville at 4p.m. on Tuesday at Sembower Field.
