Series Opener Secured

Friday, April 22

Bloomington, Ind.

7 P.M.

Indiana University

15-22, 3-7

Nebraska

14-22, 4-6

Nebraska

Indiana

4/22/2022 11:04:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Pyne homers as part of a three-RBI night, Tibbitts and Doanes each drive in two RBIs

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – An early lead turned tense late for the Indiana baseball program in its 8-7 series-opening victory over Nebraska on Friday (April 22) evening at Bart Kaufman Stadium.

Indiana (14-22, 2-7 B1G) grabbed the early lead with a single run in the first inning and added three more in each of the third and fourth innings to build a 7-0 lead. Nebraska (14-21, 4-5 B1G) scored four runs in the seventh inning and IU added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame that loomed large. The Cornhuskers didn't go quietly, however, scoring three times in the top of the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate before senior Braydon Tucker closed the door for the Hoosiers.

Redshirt-junior Jack Perkins (2-2) earned the win with four runs allowed on six hits over 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out eight for the second straight start and issued four walks on 118 pitches. Freshman Grant Holderfield allowed two runs on two hits in two innings of work, before Tucker (4) earned his fourth save with two-thirds of an inning of work with one strikeout.

The freshmen led the way offensively for Indian, as the trio of Carter Mathison, Josh Pyne and Brock Tibbitts each posted multi-hit games. Redshirt-sophomore Bobby Whalen and junior Hunter Jessee each chipped in two-hit games to make it five multi-hit games for the Cream and Crimson.

Pyne and Tibbitts added multi-RBI games, as did graduate student Tyler Doanes with a pair of runs batted in. Pyne tied for game-high with three RBIs, all coming on his fifth home run of the season. He added a double and game-high three runs scored, and in the process moved his reached base streak to 27 games. Tibbitts plated a pair of RBIs, doubled and scored once.

Six of the seven Nebraska runs came in two at-bats, as Max Anderson and Brice Matthews each hit three-run home runs in the game. Griffin Everitt added the other RBI for the Cornhuskers. Garrett Anglim and Anderson each posted three hits and scored two runs. Shay Schanaman (2-6) took the loss with seven runs allowed – six earned – on eight hits.

Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Josh Pyne doubled with two outs and Matthew Ellis walked in front of the RBI double from Brock Tibbitts.
at Indiana 1, Nebraska 0

Bottom Third
An error started the inning, before a hit-by-pitch put two runners on base. Tibbitts again delivered an RBI single, and Carter Mathison roped a two-RBI double in teh next at-bat. Tyler Doanes' sacrifice fly scored the third run of the frame.
at Indiana 4, Nebraska 0

Bottom Fourth
Bobby Whalen and Hunter Jessee singled in front of a Pyne three-run home run.
at Indiana 7, Nebraska 0

Top Seventh
A strikeout started the inning, but the next four batters reached base. A hit-by-pitch put the first runner aboard and an infield single put runners on first and second. A single up the middle got the scoring started for Nebraska. Max Anderson then delivered the three-run home run.
at Indiana 7, Nebraska 4

Bottom Seventh
Mathison reached base via two-out bunt single, and Doanes' triple scored him from first.
at Indiana 8, Nebraska 4

Top Ninth
A pair of singles put two runners on base with one out and Braydon Tucker entered in relief. He coaxed a foul out from Josh Caron, but Brice Matthews hit a three-run home run to pull Nebraska within one. Tucker got a strikeout to earn his fourth save.
at Indiana 8, Nebraska 7

Up Next
The series between Indiana and Nebraska continues to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23.