Huskers Force Hoosiers to Elimination Game

Saturday, May 25

Omaha, Neb.

10:00 AM

Indiana University

32-23-1

#2 Nebraska

37-20

Nebraska

Indiana

5/25/2024 1:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

OMAHA, Neb. – Despite a productive day on the mound from the Hoosiers, Nebraska's starter Will Walsh threw a complete game, allowing two runs, to force the if necessary game in the top half of the bracket at the Big Ten Tournament. The Indiana Baseball team (32-23-1, 15-9 B1G) scored first but couldn't string hits together on Saturday (May 25) morning in a 4-2 defeat.

The combo of graduate student pitchers Ty Bothwell (L, 6-3) and Drew Buhr went all nine innings for the Hoosiers, striking out 11 batters and allowing just four runs. After a tough control day from the staff on Thursday, Buhr and Bothwell allowed just one walk in the contest.

Juniors Josh Pyne and Nick Mitchell strung together back-to-back doubles in the first inning to take a quick lead. IU threatened in the second, loading the bases, but couldn't bring home any runs in the frame. Nebraska catcher Josh Caron had a pair of massive home runs, driving in all four runs for the visitors.

The two teams will have to play again tonight in an elimination game, Indiana's first of the tournament and Nebraska's fourth straight. The winner of Saturday night (5:00 PM CT) will advance to the Big Ten Tournament title game on Sunday afternoon at Charles Schwab Field.

Scoring Recap
Bottom First
IU got some early run support from the top of its order. Josh Pyne doubled to left field before Nick Mitchell drilled the next pitch into the gap for an RBI-double.
Indiana 1, Nebraska 0

Top Third
Ty Bothwell hung a changeup over the heart of the plate that Josh Caron deposited onto the concourse for a three-run home run.
Nebraska 3, Indiana 1

Bottom Third
The Hoosiers quickly responded in the bottom of the frame. Carter Mathison led off the inning with a double but all IU could muster was a sacrifice fly from Brock Tibbitts. It was the last run that IU would score.
Nebraska 3, Indiana 2

Top Eighth
After four complete scoreless frames, Caron hit his second home run of the day. His solo shot handed the Huskers an insurance run and put the game on ice.
Nebraska 4, Indiana 2

Top Hoosier Performers
#20 Mitchell, Nick
2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI

#24 Buhr, Drew
4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K

Notes to Know
• For the 16th-straight game, the Hoosier pitching staff held its opponent to seven-or-fewer runs. In all four games against Nebraska this year, IU has limited the Huskers to five-or-fewer on the board. Drew Buhr and Ty Bothwell combined for 11 strikeouts in the loss.

• In what was potentially his last game of his IU career, Ty Bothwell came back on short rest and delivered 4.1 innings of work while punching out nine. He now has 231 career strikeouts which moves him to No. 7 on the all-time IU list. He now has the team lead this year with 82 punchies.

• The Hoosiers added three doubles to the season tally, taking them to 132 on the campaign. The 132 doubles are now third most all-time in a single season in program history. The all-time single season mark was set by the 1984 team with 138.

Up Next
IU needs to win on Saturday night against (2) Nebraska to advance to the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 5:00 AM CT. It will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network and can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.