Friday, April 29
Bloomington, Ind.
Noon
Indiana University
7
vs
6
Illinois
Walk-off Winner
4/29/2022 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
Pyne delivers three RBIs in series opener, including game-winner with one out in the ninth inning
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the second straight season, the Indiana baseball program walked off Illinois in a series opener, as freshman Josh Pyne delivered an RBI single with one out in the ninth inning to lift the Hoosiers to a 7-6 series-opening victory at Bart Kaufman Stadium on Friday (April 29) afternoon.
Indiana (18-23, 4-8 B1G) raced out to a 4-0 lead with two runs in the first and two runs in the second inning, before the two teams traded single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Illinois (21-17, 11-4 B1G) scored one in the seventh and three in the eighth inning to tie the game at 6-6, before Pyne's walk-off RBI single.
It is the second straight season that the Hoosiers have walked off Illinois in the series opener, as Collin Hopkins hit a two-run home run on April 9, 2021, at Bart Kaufman Field.
Seven of the nine Hoosier batters collected hits and six IU hitters reached base multiple times, led by redshirt-sophomore Bobby Whalen's third four-hit game of the season. Whalen scored four times, including the game-winning run, and drove in one RBI. Two of his four hits were doubles.
Pyne delivered three RBIs as a part of a two-hit day that included a sacrifice fly. Junior Hunter Jessee was on base three times and drove in two RBIs. Freshman Carter Mathison and graduate student Tyler Doanes each recorded two-hit games with one run scored. Doanes also drove in one RBI.
Redshirt-junior Jack Perkins took a no decision in the start with 5 2/3 innings of work and two runs allowed. He allowed the two runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Redshirt-sophomore Reese Sharp (1-6) threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn his first collegiate victory. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
Taylor Jackson led the Fighting Illini offense with three hits - two doubles - and two RBIs in the contest. Jacob Campbell hit a solo home run and Cam McDonald
Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Back-to-back doubles from Bobby Whalen and Hunter Jesse opened the scoring for the Hoosiers. Josh Pyne followed with an RBI single, and IU had a two-run lead after just three batters.
at Indiana 2, Illinois 0
Bottom Second
Whalen singled to right field to bring Tyler Doanes home from second. Whalen moved to second on the throw from right field and Jessee followed with an infield single to score Whalen from second.
at Indiana 4, Illinois 0
Top Fifth
With two outs, Jacob Campbell homered to left field.
Indiana 4, Illinois 1
Bottom Fifth
Whalen hit his second double of the game down the right field line, moved to third on a ground out and scored on Pyne's sacrifice fly.
at Indiana 5, Illinois 1
Top Sixth
Cal Hejza was hit-by-pitch and moved to second on a Danny Doligale walk. After a strikeout recorded the second out of the inning, Justin Janas singled to right field to drive in one run.
at Indiana 5, Illinois 2
Bottom Sixth
Carter Mathison and Brock Tibbitts each singled to start the inning and Doanes ripped a one-out single up the middle to score Mathison.
at Indiana 6, Illinois 2
Top Seventh
Taylor Jackson doubled off the left-center field wall to score Cam McDonald home from second after his leadoff single.
at Indiana 6, Illinois 3
Top Eighth
With two outs in the inning, the Fighting Illini scored three runs on three straight hits to tie the game. After an error started the inning, A strikeout, single and fielder's choice put runners on the corners with two down. McDonald singled to push the first run across, and Kellen Sarver produced an RBI single to make it a one-run game. Reese Sharp entered in relief and Taylor Jackson greeted him with an RBI double before a flyout ended the frame.
at Indiana 6, Illinois 6
Bottom Ninth
Max Johnson started the inning with a single up the middle and moved to third on a Whalen base hit. An intentional walk to Jessee loaded the bases, before Illinois got the first out at home. Pyne then delivered the walk-off single down the left-field line to score Whalen.
at Indiana 7, Illinois 6
Up Next
Indiana and Illinois will meet for the middle game of the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Bart Kaufman Field.
Indiana (18-23, 4-8 B1G) raced out to a 4-0 lead with two runs in the first and two runs in the second inning, before the two teams traded single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Illinois (21-17, 11-4 B1G) scored one in the seventh and three in the eighth inning to tie the game at 6-6, before Pyne's walk-off RBI single.
It is the second straight season that the Hoosiers have walked off Illinois in the series opener, as Collin Hopkins hit a two-run home run on April 9, 2021, at Bart Kaufman Field.
Seven of the nine Hoosier batters collected hits and six IU hitters reached base multiple times, led by redshirt-sophomore Bobby Whalen's third four-hit game of the season. Whalen scored four times, including the game-winning run, and drove in one RBI. Two of his four hits were doubles.
Pyne delivered three RBIs as a part of a two-hit day that included a sacrifice fly. Junior Hunter Jessee was on base three times and drove in two RBIs. Freshman Carter Mathison and graduate student Tyler Doanes each recorded two-hit games with one run scored. Doanes also drove in one RBI.
Redshirt-junior Jack Perkins took a no decision in the start with 5 2/3 innings of work and two runs allowed. He allowed the two runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Redshirt-sophomore Reese Sharp (1-6) threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn his first collegiate victory. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
Taylor Jackson led the Fighting Illini offense with three hits - two doubles - and two RBIs in the contest. Jacob Campbell hit a solo home run and Cam McDonald
Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Back-to-back doubles from Bobby Whalen and Hunter Jesse opened the scoring for the Hoosiers. Josh Pyne followed with an RBI single, and IU had a two-run lead after just three batters.
at Indiana 2, Illinois 0
Bottom Second
Whalen singled to right field to bring Tyler Doanes home from second. Whalen moved to second on the throw from right field and Jessee followed with an infield single to score Whalen from second.
at Indiana 4, Illinois 0
Top Fifth
With two outs, Jacob Campbell homered to left field.
Indiana 4, Illinois 1
Bottom Fifth
Whalen hit his second double of the game down the right field line, moved to third on a ground out and scored on Pyne's sacrifice fly.
at Indiana 5, Illinois 1
Top Sixth
Cal Hejza was hit-by-pitch and moved to second on a Danny Doligale walk. After a strikeout recorded the second out of the inning, Justin Janas singled to right field to drive in one run.
at Indiana 5, Illinois 2
Bottom Sixth
Carter Mathison and Brock Tibbitts each singled to start the inning and Doanes ripped a one-out single up the middle to score Mathison.
at Indiana 6, Illinois 2
Top Seventh
Taylor Jackson doubled off the left-center field wall to score Cam McDonald home from second after his leadoff single.
at Indiana 6, Illinois 3
Top Eighth
With two outs in the inning, the Fighting Illini scored three runs on three straight hits to tie the game. After an error started the inning, A strikeout, single and fielder's choice put runners on the corners with two down. McDonald singled to push the first run across, and Kellen Sarver produced an RBI single to make it a one-run game. Reese Sharp entered in relief and Taylor Jackson greeted him with an RBI double before a flyout ended the frame.
at Indiana 6, Illinois 6
Bottom Ninth
Max Johnson started the inning with a single up the middle and moved to third on a Whalen base hit. An intentional walk to Jessee loaded the bases, before Illinois got the first out at home. Pyne then delivered the walk-off single down the left-field line to score Whalen.
at Indiana 7, Illinois 6
Up Next
Indiana and Illinois will meet for the middle game of the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Bart Kaufman Field.
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
OF
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