(Photo: IUHoosiers.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY – The 2019 season is now officially over for the Indiana baseball team after today’s 9-7 loss to 1-seeded Louisville in a losers’ bracket elimination game. Between the second and third innings, the Cardinals put up 6 runs and escaped a bases-loaded no-out situation in the top of the third.
That stint created a seemingly insurmountable hole for the Hoosiers who did everything they could do to claw back into the conversation. Although the bats were firing yesterday, the Hoosiers today could not find that same success early on this afternoon.
But like in game one against Illinois State, the Hoosiers fought and fought. Eventually Indiana managed to get back into the contest without much runway left in the contest.
Indiana posted a 4-run sixth inning off of a Cade Bunnell single to the right side and a Drew Ashley triple to left center. Grant Richardson scored off a fielder’s error in the eight. Drew Ashley knocked the one and only home run for the Hoosiers this game in the ninth, and Jeremy Houston scored shortly after off of a Richardson single.
If the game itself was not exciting enough for fans, more drama blew up in the top of the ninth. Louisville’s star closer Michael McAvene was immediately ejected from the game after what the broadcast mouth-read to say “That’s horrible” directed at the home base umpire. Without warning, he was instantly removed from the game.
However, that would not matter significantly. Louisville brought in LHP Michael Kirian that made short work of Drew Ashley – the remaining out – who had a debate strike 3 called against him. Jeff Mercer commented on the situation in the post game interview.
The pitch just bounced. You can look at the video. I’m not saying something untrue or controversial.
