Offense Falters in Series Opener

Friday, March 15

Bloomington, Ind.

5:00 PM

Indiana University

9-9

Belmont

11-7

Belmont

Indiana

3/15/2024 8:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - An early error and 10 runners left on base proved to be costly for the Indiana Baseball team (9-9) as it dropped its fourth-straight game with a 9-3 decision to Belmont on Friday (March 15) night at Bart Kaufman Field.

Sixth-year senior pitcher Ty Bothwell (ND) gave the Hoosiers a chance with five scoreless innings between the third and seventh before finally conceding five runs over the final inning plus of his outing. IU left two-or-more runners on base on three occasions, highlighted by stranding the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Junior infielder Brock Tibbitts and junior outfielder Nick Mitchell were the only Hoosiers with multiple hits on the day. IU will turn the ball over to sophomore right-hander Connor Foley on Saturday afternoon (2:00 PM) with hopes of forcing the rubber match Sunday.

Scoring Recap
Top First
IU conceded runs for the third-straight game in the first inning as Mason Landers hit a three-run home run to take an early lead. With two outs, along with an earlier error, all three runs were unearned for senior starter Jack Moffitt.
Belmont 3, Indiana 0

Bottom First
The Hoosiers were able to get one back. After a leadoff triple from Nick Mitchell, Devin Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to the center fielder to put IU on the board.
Belmont 3, Indiana 1

Top Second
Belmont answered back on a solo home run from nine-hole hitter Max Blessinger.
Belmont 4, Indiana 1

Bottom Fourth
Pinch hitter Joey Brenczewski came up with the bases loaded and hit a sacrifice fly to the left fielder to score Josh Pyne.
Belmont 4, Indiana 2

Bottom Seventh
Again, IU closed the gap but with just one run. Josh Pyne hit a sacrifice fly, IU's third of the game, to the center fielder to score Brock Tibbitts.
Belmont 4, Indiana 3

Top Eighth
Belmont finally got to IU reliever Ty Bothwell. He hung a breaking ball to Brodey Heaton who cleared the fence in left-center for a two-run home run.
Belmont 6, Indiana 3

Top Ninth
The Hoosiers found trouble in the ninth, effectively putting the game out of reach. After a botched bunt play loaded the bases, IU went to the bullpen for Julian Tonghini. With two strikes, Blessinger singled through the six hole to score two runs. Jack Rando later grounded out to the shortstop, sacrificing the out for a ninth run.
Belmont 9, Indiana 3

Notes to Know
• Junior infielder Brock Tibbitts extended his hitting streak to seven games and picked up the 169th and 170th hits of his Hoosier career.

• Sixth-year senior pitcher Ty Bothwell racked up eight punch outs on the evening, taking his career tally to 172.

Top Hoosier Performers
#9 Tibbitts, Brock
2-4, 1 R, 1 BB

#41 Bothwell, Ty
6.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 8 K

Up Next
IU will look to force a rubber match as sophomore Connor Foley toes the rubber in game two of the series with Belmont on Saturday. Tomorrow's game will be streamed on BTN+ or can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.