Returning from Christmas break in the preseason, Ethan Phillips aspired to qualify for Indiana baseball's travel roster. Opening Day was a mere seven weeks away. Phillips was unsuccessful, however, and didn't tour with the team in the first few weekend-road series.
Phillips was confined to observing Indiana's home midweek games. Phillips said head coach Jeff Mercer opted for him to gradually develop. Indiana's season began Feb. 17. Phillips only made his first-career appearance March 8. For the inexperienced freshman right-handed pitcher, that idle span allowed Phillips to notice what's successful at the college level.
Phillips landed at the realization: "I'm good enough to be here. I'm good enough to play."
Phillips strode into Indiana's locker room April 18. The day's weather started brisk, yet warmed to the mid-60s by evening. Senior catcher Matthew Ellis bantered with Phillips, asking if the freshman felt anxious. Mercer had asked Phillips, if the coaching staff called his name to throw against the No. 12 University of Louisville that day, was he prepared?
"He says ‘I'm ready to go, do you just want me to start in the bullpen?’" Mercer said. "Most pitchers start in the dugout. So, when a guy says do you want me to start in the bullpen? He's saying I'm ready to go if you need me, whenever you need me. You love that confidence."
Before Tuesday, Indiana owned an 18-1 record at home. The Hoosiers would have to protect that near-flawless stretch, while welcoming their first-ranked foe to Bart Kaufman Field, per D1Baseball. Louisville freshman catcher Will Vierling opened Tuesday's scoreline 1-0, crushing his first-career home run 416 feet against Indiana starter junior Seti Manase.
Mercer yanked Manase after the next batter doubled down the left-field line toward Indiana's bullpen. Mercer signaled for Phillips in that same direction, who trotted from the outfield. Phillips stranded the runner in scoring position to conclude the third inning, tossing four more innings after that — setting a new career-high — without allowing an earned run.
Indiana simultaneously rallied to beat Louisville 7-3, improving to 19-1 at home.
That's the team's most impressive victory this season, largly thanks to Phillips. Before Tuesday, the freshman allowed four runs in 12⅓ innings total. Phillips threw one-fourth of his season numbers against Louisville — 4⅔ innings, no earned runs, with four strikeouts.
“I don't think I was nervous,” Phillips said postgame. “I'm here to win and I think I have the ability to do that. No disrespect, but coming into this game, I couldn't tell you a hitter on their team. That's not to say that we don't scout them… but it wasn't anybody specific where I was worried to throw a pitch here and there. I was just playing off my strengths.”
Maintaining composure and executing pitches in succession are obstacles Mercer stated Phillips has trained to overcome. Phillips issued a lead-off walk in Tuesday's seventh inning, as Indiana led 7-1. Louisville junior Isaac Humphrey's single, followed by an error, allowed the lead-off base runner to score unearned. Now 7-2, Humphrey advanced to scoring position.
Yet, Phillips retired the next two batters, dismissing the threat.
“You could see him a couple times step off the mound and collect himself,” Mercer said. That's a big environment for our freshmen. With a lot of people in the stands, you're playing against a really good team. I've seen that arsenal… you have a chance to be a star, like you're a wonderful player, if you would just believe in yourself like I — like we believe in you.”
Faith is paramount to Phillips.
The Christian cross is tattooed on his non-throwing forearm. Mercer said around 10 players, including Phillips, gather for weekly Bible study. Phillips attributes personal troughs and crests to God’s plan — achievements Phillips has worked to attain has been provided by God.
“He’s very disciplined,” Mercer said. “He's very structured. He shows up and does his work every day. His faith is super important to him. He has just a great foundation to work from.”
As Mercer stated, Phillips asking whether to start Tuesday's game in the bullpen suggested the reliever's eagerness to pitch. Indiana greatly benefitted from that season-best outing.
“I just always want to get in the game,” Phillips said. “I love to pitch. I want to be out there. I want to eat up as many innings as I can. I want to be where they need me.”
The 7-3 victory over Louisville considerably bolsters Indiana's postseason resume. Now 4-7 in Quadrant 1 wins, accompanied by the 39th-best strength of schedule, Indiana improved to No. 14 in the rating percentage index. The team's schedule continues Wednesday at Cincinnati.
Follow reporters Matthew Byrne (.@MatthewByrne1) and Nick Rodecap (.@nickrodecap) for updates throughout the Indiana baseball season.
