Baseball Wins B1G Opener over Northwestern

Friday, April 1

Bloomington, Ind.

5 P.M.

Indiana University

11-13, 1-0

Northwestern

9-12, 0-1

Northwestern

Indiana

4/1/2022 9:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A third straight one-run game went the way of the Indiana baseball program, this time a 5-4 victory over Northwestern to open Big Ten play at Bart Kaufman Stadium.

Northwestern (9-12, 0-1 B1G) struck first with two runs in the fifth inning and Indiana (11-13, 1-0 B1G) took the lead with all five of its runs in the seventh inning. The Wildcats got two runs back in the eighth inning before senior Braydon Tucker recorded the final outs.

Tucker (1) threw the final two innings, allowed one hit and didn't allow a run of his own in the contest, He struck out one batter to earn his first save of the season and third of his career. Freshman Grant Holderfield (1-1) picked up his first career win as he allowed two runs on two hits over one inning of work.

Freshman Josh Pyne moved his hitting streak to 14 games with a 1-for-4 night at the plate and one RBI. Graduate student Tyler Doanes and redshirt-sophomore Bobby Whalen each chipped in two hits and scored one run, and Whalen added one RBI. Redshirt-junior Matthew Ellis walked three times, while senior Phillip Glasser doubled, walked and drove in a pair of RBIs.

Redshirt-junior Jack Perkins (ND) posted his fourth quality start of the season with two runs allowed over six innings of work in the start for Indiana. He struck out two and walked two before exiting after six complete innings.

For Northwestern, starting pitcher Sean Sullivan threw six shutout innings and struck out 11 batters in the no decision. He scattered three hits and walked three batters in the game. Jay Beshears went 3-for-4 with one runs scored and one RBI, while Ethan O'Donnell had two hits and scored one run.

Scoring Recap
Top Fifth
The first two batters reached base via hit-by-pitch against IU starting pitcher Jack Perkins. A single loaded the bases before a fielder's choice cut down the run at home for the first out. Jay Beshears walked to push the first run across. A sacrifice fly from Alex Calarco plated the second run.
Northwestern 2, Indiana 0

Bottom Seventh
Pinch hitter Hunter Jessee started the inning with a single and moved to second on a ground out. After Tyler Doanes walked, Phillip Glasser doubled down the left field line to tie the game. After a pitching change, Bobby Whalen delivered the go-ahead run. A walk to Matthew Ellis was followed by an out before Josh Pyne drove in the fourth run of the inning. After the bases were loaded with two outs, Jessee's ground ball was misplayed to allow the fifth run of the frame to cross.
Indiana 5, Northwestern 2

Top Eighth
A pair of single and an error loaded the bases with no outs against reliever Grant Holderfield, before Braydon Tucker entered for Indiana. A walk to Stephen Hrustich plated the first run and a sacrifice fly from Patrick Herrera made it a one-run game.
Indiana 5, Northwestern 4

Up Next
Indiana and Northwestern will continue the series in a new 1 p.m. start time on Saturday, April 2 at Bart Kaufman Field. Senior Bradley Brehmer will make the start for the Hoosiers, while graduate student Michael Farinelli will throw for the Wildcats.