Indiana and Jeff Mercer’s squad will move on as they took down Illinois in the first round of the double elimination Big Ten Tournament.
The #2 seed Hoosiers topped the #7 seed Fighting Illini on Tuesday in Omaha, Neb. by a score of 4-3. However, it did not come without a little adversity from the opposing Illinois squad.
Illinois scored first with an RBI double from 3rd baseman Brandon Comia in the top of 5th, which would put the Illini up 1-0 after a pitching battle between the Illinois starter Jack Wenninger and Indiana’s own Ethan Phillips and Ben Seiler. The lead would not last long, for Indiana would climb back to 2-1 edge after a Peter Serruto RBI double and a fielder’s choice from Devin Taylor.
The Hoosiers added some insurance in the bottom of the 8th, as Josh Pyne added to his RBI total with a groundout that would score Taylor. Indiana senior Hunter Jessee followed suit with an RBI single to score Brock Tibbitts, which would give Indiana the lead heading into the final inning.
Illinois did provide a scare in the top of the 9th as an error from Indiana shortstop Phillip Glosser scored 2 runs. However, it was Brayden Risedorph that would force a fly-out from Illinois to end the game and earn the save. Evan Whiteaker was credited for the win, after 4 full innings and six strikeouts.
The Hoosiers will now face Iowa in the second round on Thursday at 2 p.m. Indiana took the regular season series at Bart Kaufman Field in early April.
Photo credited to Indiana Athletics.
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