May 21, 2014

Four score: Huskers Rally in Ninth

By Chris Webb

Special to CollegeBaseballInsider.com

OMAHA, Neb. – For a fourth time this year, Nebraska defeated Ohio State with runs in its last at-bat. Earning a third consecutive walk-off win over the Buckeyes, four ninth-inning runs saw the Huskers capture a 7-6 win Wednesday at the Big Ten Tournament.

Improving to 38-18 on the season, with the support of a pro-Nebraska crowd, the home-state Huskers rallied to win despite trailing 6-0 after four innings.

Nebraska junior right-hander Chance Sinclair, a first-team Big Ten selection, ran into trouble in the fourth. Four hits, highlighted by a two-run double from catcher Aaron Gretz, an error and a squeeze play saw the Buckeyes chase Sinclair, who entered with a 1.88 ERA. Against reliever Bob Greco, the Buckeyes picked up two two-out RBI-singles to stretch the lead to 6-0, quieting TD Ameritrade Park.

Unable to muster anything against Big Ten Freshman of the Year Tanner Tully through two at-bats, Nebraska found its footing in the fifth. Three hits, a wild pitch and Tully’s seventh walk of the year in 93.1 innings produced three runs for the Huskers. The inning could have been bigger, but Tully struck out Nebraska right fielder Austin Darby with the bases loaded to keep Ohio State’s lead intact. After rebounding with 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh, Tully exited after seven innings of three-run baseball, striking out eight. Classmate right-handed Travis Lakins continued the run of 1-2-3 innings in the eighth, setting the stage for the dramatic ninth.

Ohio State closer Trace Dempsey opened the ninth with three free passes, plunking Nebraska shortstop Steven Reveles in between a pair of walks. After striking out pinch-hitter Christian Cox, Dempsey issued a second four-pitch walk in three batters, plating Nebraska’s fourth run.

Buckeyes coach Greg Beals called on Tyler Giannonatti from the bullpen. The first batter he faced, second baseman Pat Kelly, singled back up the middle, driving in two runs to tie the game. Tanner Lubach then lofted a game-winning sacrifice fly to center, scoring Michael Pritchard ahead of Troy Montgomery’s throw.

Nebraska received 5.2 innings of one-run baseball from four relievers after Sinclair exited. Jeff Chesnut and Austin Christensen each pitched two scoreless innings to keep the Huskers in striking distance.

Kelly led all hitters with a 3-for-5 day, driving in three runs. Two Buckeyes picked up two-hit games, Dawson and second baseman Troy Kuhn.

Michigan State 2, Illinois 1

The first batter of the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State left fielder Cam Gibson, greeted Illinois right-handed pitcher Drasen Johnson with a home run to right field. Illinois (31-20) tied the game in the third with the aid of Michigan State (30-24). A leadoff error followed by two wild pitches and two walks helped tie the game 1-1. Small ball in the fifth pushed MSU’s second run and the Michigan State bullpen made the lead stand. MSU starter Mick VanVossen allowed an unearned run in six innings, scattering five hits. Johnson received the tough-luck loss with a seven-inning outing, limiting Michigan State to five hits, two runs (one earned) with 10 strikeouts. Spartan center fielder Anthon Cheky went 2 for 5 with two stolen bases.

Indiana 5, Iowa 2

The Hoosiers stayed on track in their pursuit of a national seed. Atop the Indiana lineup, junior second baseman Casey Rodrigue fell a home run short of the cycle, going 3 for 3 with two RBI to lead Indiana (39-13) past Iowa (29-22). Rodrigue’s big game was in support of Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Joey DeNato. In an efficient 106-pitch outing, DeNato allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits, walking none with nine strikeouts. Before settling down, a two-base error on a pickoff attempt helped give Iowa a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Tyler Petyon, Dan Potempa and Eric Toole each went 2 for 4 for the Hawkeyes. Rodrigue’s double-play partner, shortstop Nick Ramos went 2 for 4 with a run and RBI for the Big Ten regular-season champions.

Michigan 3, Minnesota 2

A three-run home run from Travis Maezes lifted Michigan past Minnesota. Maezes’ seventh-inning blast was enough to support a strong pitching effort from three Wolverines. Junior left-hander Trent Szkutnik pitched 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Junior right-handed relieved Szkutnik with two on in the fifth, needing one pitch to escape the jam. Bourque pitched three innings total, holding Minnesota to two hits and no runs. Third baseman/right-hander Jacob Cronenworth picked up his 12^th save with 1.1 innings of hitless baseball. An RBI double in the fourth from Minnesota shortstop Michael Handel opened the scoring. Second baseman Connor Schaefbauer collected the lone other run-scoring hit for the Gophers in the fifth as Minnesota went 1 for 10 with a runner in scoring position. Maezes was joined by teammates Jackson Glines and Eric Jacobson with two-hit games.

Notes

      ·        Nebraska’s win was its 14th of the year when trailing after six innings.

      ·        Michigan’s win was its first when trailing after 6 innings.

      ·        Closing out the win over the Illini, junior left-hander Jeff Kinley now holds Michigan State’s career saves record with 18.

      ·        In two games at TD Ameritrade Park, Indiana’s Joey DeNato has allowed one earned run in 17 innings with 17 strikeouts.

      ·        The attendance for the first day of games was 10,424

Coachspeak

      ·        “We’ve got to do a better job of willing to step on someone when you got it. Our guys get complacent.” Ohio State’s Greg Beals on Ohio State falling after a 6-0 lead.

      ·        “If it’s tough to beat a team four times in one year, maybe we’re in good shape with these other guys beating up on us.” Michigan State’ Jake Boss after the Spartans avenged a season sweep to Illinois.

      ·        “We’re past that point, I don’t have to say anything. They believe. We’ve spent two and a half years, trying to get them to believe in themselves.” Darin Erstad on Nebraska’s ability to rally from behind.

      ·        “The guys that normally don’t get it done for them were hot… They can beat you in so many ways, so many different guys.” Iowa’s Rick Heller on Indiana.

Thursday’s schedule (all times Eastern)

10 a.m. No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 7 Ohio State (elimination game)

2 p.m. No. 4 Minnesota vs. No. 8 Iowa (elimination game)

6 p.m. No. 2 Nebraska vs. No. 6 Michigan State

10 p.m. No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Michigan