Hoosiers and Terrapins split double-header

The Hoosiers were victorious in the first game of the three-game set with the Terrapins. The game spanned over two days, but Cal Krueger was able to come on in the top of the fourth on the second day and lead the Hoosiers to victory.

Krueger came on in relief for Jonathon Stiever who started the first game on Friday until it was eventually postponed until Saturday. In the three innings that Stiever pitched, he was extremely solid and only gave up one hit on 36 pitches.

Much of the same can be said about the starting counterpart in Brian Shaffer for the Terrapins. Both pitchers started the game really well, but unfortunately were not able to come back out and finish it after the over night postponement.

Krueger, a freshman for the Hoosiers, came on in the top of the fourth and threw a beautiful five innings on the mound. He only faltered once in the top of the 5th when he gave up two runs, but composed himself the next inning and cruised his way to victory when the Hoosier’s bats came to life.

Offensively, the Hoosiers got quite a bit of help from relief pitcher Ryan Hill who could not seem to find the strike zone in the one inning he pitched. In the bottom of the third, Hill hit Dedelow with a pitch which brought in Houston and the next two runs were brought in by bases-loaded walks.

Indiana put three more runs up in the bottom of the fourth on new pitcher Hunter Parsons. Butler sent a ball packing over the Hoosiers bullpen with Krupa on base to put Indiana up 5-0. Later in the inning, Dedelow doubled down the right field line which brought in Luke Miller.

Maryland finally found some offense in the top of the 5th after a lead off single by Nickens who was tripled in by Kevin Smith, the starting shortstop for the Terrapins. Smith then crossed home after a groundout Gorski by catcher, Nick Cieri.

Indiana wasn’t done, however, as Luke Miller hit a bomb to left field with Lloyd and Butler on base bringing the game to final tally of 9-2.

Cal Krueger picked up the W in the much needed victory to increase Indiana’s chances of making the Big Ten Tournament and postseason play in general.

In the second game of the double-header, Brian Hobbie and Tyler Blohm squared off on the mound for the Hoosiers and Terrapins respectively.

Maryland struck first when they got an unearned run off of Hobbie in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly to right field. The Terrapins then notched two more runs in the top of the third when Marty Costes sent a long ball over the left field fence with one runner on, increasing their lead to 3-0.

The Hoosiers didn’t wait long to strike back as Matt Gorski hit a solo shot to left field cutting back into the Terrapins lead. Later in the inning Houston scored on a single to left by Matt Lloyd bringing the Hoosiers within one.

Maryland had no plans of letting Indiana fight their way back into it when AJ Lee led off the top of fifth with a solo home run to left field. The Terrapins then added on one more after Nick Dunn grounded into a double play which brought Jancarski home for the fifth run of the ballgame.

The Terrapins added four more runs in the 7th and 8th innings to win the game 9-2. Hoosier, Brian Hobbie picked up his second loss of the season in the game. Maryland pitcher, Tyler Blohm, picked up the win after tossing 6.1 IP and only giving up 2 earned runs.

Both teams will go for the series win in the rubber match tomorrow at 12 p.m. at Bart Kaufman Field. The Hoosiers (23-17-2) will need a victory in order to keep increasing their chances of a post season birth.