Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Hartford
Late Heroics Lead Indiana to Sweep of Hartford
3/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 26, 2006
Box Score
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Jay Brant drove in the tying run in the ninth and the winning tally in the 11th to help the Indiana baseball team complete a three-game sweep of Hartford, 6-5, at Sembower Field on March 26. The Hoosiers twice overcame one-run deficits in the final three innings to win three straight games for the first time this season. IU moved to 7-10 on the season, while the Hawks fell to 1-16.
"Anytime you win one in the last at-bat, it is a positive feeling," Smith said. "Even though we didn't play as well as we would have liked, it is still a good win in the way we did it. We wanted our guys to build some confidence going into Butler and then Big Ten play against Michigan State."
Down to its final out in the ninth, Indiana notched a two-out tally off of Hartford closer Ben Sobocinski (0-1) to even the contest at 4-4. Shortstop David Trager worked a walk, and Brant followed with a shot into right-center field. Center fielder Bryan Propst attempted to cut the ball off but bobbled it, allowing pinch-runner Tyler Cox to come all the way around from first with the tying run.
Cox and Brant reemerged in the 11th to lift the Hoosiers. With a pinch-runner Matt Saba standing on second with one out, Cox delivered his first hit of the season, a line drive over left fielder Adam Bowser's head, to score Saba and tie the ballgame at 5-5. Brant then singled into left to bring Cox in with the game-winning run. The ball beat Cox to the plate, but the Georgetown, Ind., native touched the plate with his left hand just sliding by catcher Chris Hebert's tag.
"I had two strikes on me, and I got a fastball. I was just looking for something to put in play to keep the game going," Brant said.
Brant picked up his first four-hit game of the season, going 4-for-6 with one RBI and one run. Meanwhile, Cox added two runs to go along with his first hit and RBI of the year.
Joe Vicini (2-1) earned the victory with 2 1/3 innings of relief. The freshman southpaw gave up one earned run on just one hit. Right-hander Chris McCombs kept IU in the game, pitching the previous five innings of shutout ball.
"He has a great breaking pitch," Smith said of McCombs. "He has gotten in a good rhythm. I've been pleased with how all of our pitchers have kept us in the game and given us a chance to win."
The Hawks held a 4-1 lead when McCombs entered in the fourth, and he limited Hartford to just four hits and one walk to go along with a career-high six strikeouts. McCombs has not allowed a run in his last 11 1/3 innings of work.
"It has been my confidence," McCombs said of his scoreless streak. "You have to go out there knowing you can do it. I tell myself that I can go in and get the batter out."
Trailing 4-1 entering the sixth, the Hoosiers continued to use their speed as they have all season to get back into the game. Center fielder Reggie Watson walked to open the inning, stole second and after a walk to first baseman Tad Reida, executed a double steal with Reida to put runners at second and third with no body out.
Two batters later, third baseman Josh Richardson lifted a fly ball to left field to bring home Watson. Reida went on to swipe the club's third bag of the inning and came home on an error by shortstop Brady Stouffer to make it a 4-3 game.
In the seventh, Trager walked and Brant laced a base knock into left center to put runners on the corners with two down for Watson. The Cincinnati native ripped a line shot into center, but Adam Bowser laid out and made a diving stab to rob the Hoosiers of two runs and maintain Hartford's one-run advantage.
Watson returned the favor in the top of the ninth. Pinch-runner Andres Dorman stood on second with two outs when first baseman Derek Litke lifted a deep drive to center. Watson raced back and in full sprint made a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch to keep the Hoosiers within one run and set the stage for Brant's heroics.
Up next, Indiana heads to Indianapolis for a mid-week matchup with Butler on Wednesday, March 29. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. After taking on the Bulldogs, the Hoosiers open Big Ten play with a three-game set at Michigan State on Friday-Monday, March 31-April 2.
Game Notes
-With a base hit in the first inning, center fielder Reggie Watson extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
-Right-hander Chris McCombs has not allowed a run in his last 11 1/3 innings pitched. In seven innings of work (2 appearances) in the series, McCombs did not allow a run and scattered six hits with three walks and eight Ks.
-Tyler Cox collected his first hit, RBI and run of the season.
-Pitcher Matt Saba pinch ran in the 11th inning. He is the fourth pitcher to see action outside of the mound this season. Josh Lewis and Doug Fleenor played in the outfield at Charlotte on Feb. 26, while Chris Hynes pinch hit in the same ballgame.
-After stealing five bases in six attempts this afternoon, Indiana has swiped 39 bases in its last 41 attempts and 52-of-63 this season (83 percent). In addition, the club has at least one stolen base in 11 of its last 12 games and 12-of-17 games this year.
-Center fielder Reggie Watson stole two bags in Sunday's game and has swiped 11 consecutive bases. He increased his team-leading total to 16 in 19 attempts. Watson has stolen at least two bases in one game six times this campaign. The Cincinnati native moved into a tie for fifth place on IU's career stolen base list with 70 in his career.
-First baseman Tad Reida stole two bases in one game for the first time this season. Reida now has three steals this year.
-Indiana stole 17 bases in 19 attempts in the three-game series.
-Shortstop David Trager stole his first base of the season in the contest.
-Left fielder Jay Brant collected his first four-hit game this season.
-Chris Hervey made his first career start on the mound.
-Arden McWilliams saw his first action of the season in right field. McWilliams entered in the fifth inning for Andrew Means, who left for football practice. Means is a wide receiver for head coach Terry Hoeppner and the Indiana football team.
-Hartford head coach Jeff Calcaterra spent 17 years with the Hoosiers as a player (1989-92), volunteer assistant (1994-97) and an assistant coach (1997-04). He spent two seasons (1995 and 1996) with Indiana skipper Tracy Smith when Smith was the team's pitching coach.
-Indiana swept its first series this season and is 3-0 at home.
-The Hoosiers played their third extra-inning game of the season, picking up their first victory in the three attempts.
