When IU arrived in Minnesota for a three-game series, it was a half game out of first in the Big Ten.
After Sunday’s 3-2 win against the Golden Gophers, the Hoosiers now lead the Big Ten by a half game.
IU (28-17) beat Minnesota (30-15) on Sunday behind strong pitching, particularly from senior starting pitcher Evan Bell.
The right-hander went 5.2 innings while allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out four batters.
Bell’s first win of the season was secured by a combination of freshman relief pitcher BJ Sabol and junior relief pitcher Jake Kelzer.
Sabol pitched 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and struck out four of the five batters he faced.
Kelzer picked up his third save of the season after pitching 1.2 scoreless innings and striking out two batters himself.
IU won the first game Friday night 12-8 to move into first place before losing to Minnesota 8-6 on Saturday afternoon to fall back into second.
Twice Sunday the Hoosiers responded after the Golden Gophers scored.
After responding to an early deficit to score two runs to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth, Minnesota promptly tied the game in the bottom half.
The tie didn’t last long, with senior shortstop Brian Wilhite lining an RBI single to center field in the sixth for the eventual game-winning hit.
The Hoosiers now sit in first place in the Big Ten with six conference games remaining.
Because of IU’s poor RPI, there’s not much of a chance it can make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team.
This means the Hoosiers will have to win the Big Ten Tournament if they hope to qualify for their fourth straight NCAA Tournament.
Michael Hughes
