Hoosiers Split Saturday Doubleheader with Rutgers

Saturday, April 2

Piscataway, N.J.

12:30 p.m.

Indiana University

12-13, 0-2

Rutgers

11-15, 2-3

Indiana

Rutgers

Hoosiers Split Saturday Doubleheader with Rutgers

4/2/2016 6:54:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Indiana Baseball (13-13, 1-2 Big Ten) split a doubleheader with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday afternoon. After falling 3-2 in the first game, the Hoosiers came back to hit three home runs in a 9-2 game two victory.

Game 1 | Rutgers 3, Indiana 2

The Hoosiers had seven hits from seven different players in the game, including one from junior Craig Dedelow, who went 1-for-3 with and RBI and run scored, while reaching base three times. Sophomore Laren Eustace also reached base twice via two walks and scored a run. Indiana got four stolen bases from junior Austin Cangelosi, sophomore Isaiah Pasteur, freshman Luke Miller and junior Alex Krupa.

On the mound, Evan Bell got the start and allowed three runs and four hits in 5.2 innings, striking out four and walking three. Junior Jake Kelzer was strong in relief as he didn't allow a hit in 2.1 innings, striking out four and walking one.

Despite out-hitting Rutgers 7-4, the Hoosiers struggles came when runners were on base. Indiana was just 3-for-24 when runners were on and 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

Indiana struck immediately in the top of the first. Sophomore Laren Eustace worked a walk and then scored on a triple down the right field line by junior Craig Dedelow.

The Hoosiers set themselves up with a tremendous opportunity in the third inning as they loaded the bases on a Dedelow walk, a single by sophomore Logan Sowers and a bunt single by junior Austin Cangelosi. Freshman Scotty Bradley then grounded into a double play to plate one, but that is all Indiana would get in the third. The Hoosiers led 2-0 at that point.

The game-deciding inning came in the sixth. With runners on first and second, Rutgers' Tom Marcinczyk ssingled up the middle to plate one. Then with two outs, Christian Campbell delivered the big blow, a two-run double that put the Scarlet Knights ahead for good, 3-2.

Game 2 | Indiana 9, Rutgers 2

Indiana's two, three and four hitters were productive, combining for six hits, three home runs and six RBI. Sophomore Logan Sowers had a game-high three RBI, including a two-run home run and a double. Freshman Ryan Fineman went 2-for-4 with a two run homer while Dedelow was 2-for-5 with a solo shot.

Senior LHP Caleb Baragar, freshman Johnathan Stiever, freshman Pauly Milto and junior Thomas Belcher combined for a five-hitter in the victory. Belcher picked up his second save of the season, tossing three strong innings and allowing just one hit.

The scoring started in the fourth inning, as the Hoosiers knocked out two long balls to plate three runs. The first of two homers came on a leadoff shot by Dedelow, as he sent a 2-0 pitch the opposite way that hooked inside the foul pole. After Sowers walked, Fineman sent a two-run shot out to make it 3-0. The homers were the second for both Dedelow and Fineman this season.

Rutgers chipped away at freshman RHP Johnathan Stiever in the fifth, plating one on an RBI groundout to cut the IU lead to 3-1.

In the top of the sixth, Dedelow reached base again, this time via a bunt base-hit. That set things up for Sowers, who blasted his fifth home run of the season over the left centerfield wall to put Indiana up 5-1.

The Hoosiers tacked on more insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Senior Brian Wilhite led off the frame with a walk and advanced to second on junior Tony Butlers sacrifice bunt. That led to an RBI single for Eustace. Later in the inning, Eustace scored on an RBI double by Sowers to up the Hoosier lead to 7-1.

After the Scarlet Knights plated one in the bottom half of the seventh, the Hoosiers tagged Rutgers with two runs that went unearned, resulting in final score of 9-2.

Indiana is back in action on Wednesday when it travels to Cincinnati.