Hoosiers end season against Minnesota

Sunday’s weather couldn’t have been better, and neither could the final game of the Hoosier baseball team’s season. IU won the last game in a dramatic fashion in a bottom-of-the-ninth inning rally. IU and Minnesota split the series overall with two wins apiece. Although it was the end of a relatively rocky season, freshman shortstop Evan Crawford thought the series was a good way to close out the year.\n“I thought the series was a definite plus,” Crawford said. “(It) gave us a little momentum for next year. It shows what we can do when everyone’s together and focused.”\nThe first significant play of Friday’s game wasn’t until the third inning, when IU scored the first run of the game. Senior second baseman Keith Haas reached second base and advanced to third on a bunt from Crawford. Crawford was unable to make it to second base on a fielder’s choice by sophomore outfielder Andrew Means, but Haas scored on the play. \nThe Gophers quickly answered the Hoosier run with three of their own on three hits in the fourth. Third basemen Nate Hanson singled up the middle and was brought home on a double from outfielder Kyle Baran. The bases were loaded after Dan Lyons was hit by a pitch and Bryan Jost walked, advancing Baran to third. Derek McCallum singled to left field, bringing Baran and Lyons home.\nMinnesota repeated the previous inning’s performance in the fifth, scoring another three runs. The Hoosiers began their quest for a comeback in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. Senior designated-hitter Ben Greenspan singled to right center. Greenspan advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a double by freshman catcher Josh Phegley. Phegley and Greenspan both scored when junior Reid Briglia pinch-hit for junior third baseman Tyler Cox, and reached base on an error by Minnesota’s second baseman Derek McCallum. However, the surge wasn’t enough, as the Hoosiers went on to lose 8-6.\nThe Hoosiers had a stroke of luck Saturday as they split the doubleheader, winning the second game 10-7 after losing the first game 3-2. The fifth inning saw a lot of action from both teams offensively as the Golden Gophers put two runs on the board, and the Hoosiers put up four of their own. Sophomore catcher Billy O'Conner drew a walk and advanced to second on a single from Mack. Freshman third baseman Brad Henke then popped a single out to center field to load the bases, and Haas brought a runner home with his own single to center during the next at-bat. IU captured the lead when Crawford hit a sacrifice fly. Means increased the score when he hit a two-run triple.\nThe final game of the series was neck and neck for most of the game. Each team’s offense answered to the offense of the inning before, with no lead ever surpassing three runs. The top of the fourth inning proved to be the most dangerous to the Hoosiers as Hanson knocked in a grand slam, giving him a total of seven RBIs on the day. The Gophers were ahead 9-7 before the inning finally ended with a dramatic catch by Means, who made the play with his back to the outfield wall. \nThe Hoosiers finally tied the game 9-9 in the sixth inning, where it remained tied until the bottom of the ninth. Crawford was the first batter of the inning, and he hit a double to right center on the first pitch. Next up, Means singled with a well-placed bunt toward the third base foul line to advance Crawford into scoring position. Senior Michael Nilles was intentionally walked to load the bases, and after a few foul tips, Phegley knocked a single, bringing Crawford home for the game-winning run. \nWith the season officially over, IU coach Tracy Smith said he looks forward to next season, but admits there is much work to be done between now and then.\n“It’s no secret,” Smith said. “Our hitting was not good this year, and that’s something we’re going to have to do a better job of, and that’s going to be through development and also through recruiting.”\nSmith will have four spots to fill in his roster next season as seniors Greenspan, Nilles, Haas and infielder Josh Richardson officially ended their college baseball careers on Sunday. Although he is no longer a part of the team, Nilles is very optimistic about the Hoosier baseball team’s future and thinks that nearly every member of the team will excel in the upcoming years.\n“I mean, everyone up and down the line (is promising in the future),” Nilles said. “This program’s really looking up.”