And just like that, it's over. In two games, the Hoosiers were dominated as thoroughly as they dominated their Big Ten Tournament opponents last weekend. Today, IU had nine hits but didn't score a run. In the fifth inning, with the score still a manageable 3-0, IU had the bases loaded with no outs, but didn't score. Vandy scored 5 runs in the bottom of the fifth, and that was that. While Eric Arnett could blame the defense yesterday, co-ace Matt Bashore gave up 8 runs (7 earned) in 4 and 1/3 innings, and the only unearned run was because of his own throwing error. I certainly held out hope that IU could be a darkhorse in this tournament, but it wasn't to be.
It's unclear was 2010 holds for the Hoosiers. Because they are all juniors, Bashore, Arnett, and catcher Josh Phegley all are eligible for the MLB draft, and all three have been projected as first rounders at one time or another. Kipp Schutz is eligible as well. Still, if Tracy Smith continues to recruit as he has, then hopefully IU will not have to wait 13 years for its next NCAA appearance.