For the second time in three games, the Hoosiers lost in walk-off fashion, as East Tennessee State rallied to win 4-3 at yet-to-be-completed Thomas Stadium.
The Hoosiers started quickly, scoring two runs in the first inning. Designated hitter Will Nolden - taking the place of the injured Micah Johnson - singled to lead off the game. Two Hoosiers were retired. Nolden advanced into scoring position with a theft of second base. Freshman catcher Kyle Schwarber hit his second home run to give IU the lead.
Senior starting pitcher John Long allowed three hits the next three innings, and left the bases full of Hoosiers in the fourth.
Indiana added a run in the fifth on two hits. Junior center fielder Justin Cureton singled to begin the frame. He advanced to third on Nolden's single. Sophomore shortstop Dustin DeMuth grounded into a double play, and Cureton crossed the plate.
Sophomore starting pitcher Joey DeNato carried a shutout through six. In the seventh, he surrendered a home run to the Buccaneers' Clinton Freeman. He had allowed three hits and two walks prior to that home run. Despite his "superb" outing, he did not factor into the decision, as IU suffered their third come-from-ahead loss.
The Bucs notched their second run in the eighth. Sophomore reliever Matt Dearden entered the game, and retired the first two batters he faced. Then, he issued a walk to Matthew Scruggs. The Bucs' center fielder advanced to second on a wild pitch, his second of the season. Freeman singled, driving in his second RBI.
Sophomore closer Ryan Halstead, who tied the school's all-time record for saves in a season with nine as a freshman, couldn't shut the door on this day.
Senior designated hitter Dylan Pratt greeted Halstead by hitting an 0-1 pitch over the left field fence.
Halstead responded by getting the next man out. Senior second baseman Derek Neisman drew a walk on five pitches. He advanced to second on a balk - the first of the season on the Hoosiers. Junior third baseman Alex Reynolds was intentionally walked (I presume) in hopes of inducing a double play.
Halstead retired the next batter. With two outs, two consecutive singles allowed the Bucs to walk off, and dropped the Hoosiers to 2-5.
Long pitched a complete game for the Bucs, allowing three runs - all earned - on eight hits. He walked two, and struck out seven as he faced 36 Hoosier batters.
Worth noting
DeNato picked off two runners. Last season, he picked off 12 as a freshman.
Nolden batted 2-4 with a run scored in his first start of the season.
The Hoosiers stranded six runners.
Head coach Tracy Smith tweeted this after the game.
