Let's take a quick look at game two between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana Hoosiers.
WHAT HAPPENED:
Behind the effective pitching of starter Matt Dermody, the Hawkeyes were able to shut out the Hoosiers on their way to a 4-0 victory.
WHAT IT MEANS:
After winning a tight game against Iowa on Friday, the Hoosiers ran into a tough foe on the mound for the Hawkeyes in Matt Dermody. Dermody allowed only four hits and two walks, while shutting the Hoosiers out for seven strong innings. Although the lefty located his pitches well--breaking curve balls in on the outside corner all game--the Hoosiers did make good contact throughout the game, but the balls just couldn't find green grass. Overall, the Hoosiers' bats were stopped by good pitching, so as first baseman Sam Travis said after the game, you have to tip your cap to Iowa.
The biggest problem that coach Tracy Smith has to be worried about is the continued defensive struggles his team has been having. In the fifth inning, Iowa scored three unearned runs on three errors--including a two-out throwing error by starter Kyle Hart that gave Iowa a 4-0 lead. In Hart's defense, the ball would have gone into center field but it was lined off his foot and trickled towards first base before Hart tossed it passed Sam Travis at first. Nevertheless, the Hoosiers have now committed 60 on the season, which has clearly been the biggest weakness of the team. Part of the reason why IU won on Friday was the fact that they did not commit an error. If the Hoosiers are going to have more consistent success, the defensive lapses need to be fewer and farther in between.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE HOOSIERS:
IU will square off against Iowa on Sunday in the rubber game of the series. The Hoosiers will attempt to win their second straight Big Ten series to start conference play.
STAT OF THE GAME:
For the game, the Hoosiers left a total of 11 men on base. Also, IU left runners on base in all but two of the innings (first and fifth). In a game that was still close despite the team's errors, not being able to capitalize on opportunities was the downfall for the Hoosiers.
