Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Looks to Sweep Season Series from Indiana State
4/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 17, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Fresh off a split with in-state rival Purdue, the Indiana baseball team welcomes another in-state foe to Sembower Field. The Hoosiers (12-20) host Indiana State (16-19) on Tuesday, April 18, for a 3 p.m. matinee.
This marks the second meeting between the two teams this season. IU downed ISU, 7-4, in Terre Haute on March 6. In the overall series, this is the 74th meeting between the two schools. Indiana holds a 41-32 lead in the all-time series, including victories in the last three games.
Scouting Indiana State
The Sycamores, winners of three of their last four ballgames, come into the contest with a 16-19 overall record and a 3-6 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. ISU grabbed three out of four games against South Dakota State in Terre Haute this past weekend.
ISU holds a .296 team average and is averaging just over six runs per game. Five Sycamores are hitting better than .300, highlighted by junior catcher Nevin Ashley. Ashley leads the club with a .434 average, seven home runs, 32 RBI and six triples to go along with seven doubles and 28 runs.
On the mound, Indiana State's staff has lowered its ERA under 4.00 at 3.91. Senior right-hander Andrew Galle leads the staff with a 3-2 record and an impressive 2.36 ERA, while reliever Brian Omogrosso stands at 3-0 with four saves and a sparkling 0.63 ERA. The right-hander has struck out 25 batters and walked only seven in 28 2/3 innings of action.
Follow The Game
Gametracker: IUHOOSIERS.com
Last Time vs. Indiana State
Joe Vicini was brilliant in relief en route to his first career win and David Trager picked up his first career save, giving Tracy Smith his first victory as head coach of the Indiana baseball team. The Hoosiers (1-6) downed Indiana State (4-5), 7-4, at Sycamore Field on March 6 to secure their first win of the season.
A freshman from Rural Valley, Pa., Vicini tossed 4 2/3 shutout innings and held the Sycamores to only two hits and one walk to go along with a pair of punchouts. He retired 13 of the 16 batters he faced in the contest.
Vicini retired 13-of-14 batters he faced until second baseman Ryan Bond walked and catcher Nevin Ashley laced a base knock into left field with two down in the eight. Trager relieved Vicini and forced the tying run and pinch-hitter Kyle Kolb to ground out to sophomore shortstop Tad Reida to close out the Sycamores' final threat.
The sophomore right-hander went on to throw a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first career save. Trager owns a 0.84 ERA this year, surrendering one earned run in 10 2/3 innings pitched.
Offensively, IU pounded out 10 hits and recorded three stolen bases. Senior center fielder Reggie Watson went 2-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, while senior left fielder Jay Brant (1 run, 1 steal), junior first baseman Michael Nilles (2 RBI) and junior third baseman Steve Head (2 runs) each collected two hits.
