Iowa baseball searches for improvement against Bradley after Indiana sweep

Iowa didnโ€™t perform like it wanted against Indiana, leaving numerous spots to improve against Bradley.

Shivansh Ahuja

Iowa pitcher Cam Baumann throws a pitch during the first game of a baseball doubleheader between Iowa and Cal-State Northridge at Duane Banks Field on Sunday, March 17, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Matadors, 5-4.

Pete Ruden and Adam Hensley

Iowa baseball started its Big Ten season off with a slide, getting swept by Indiana in a three-game weekend series in Bloomington on March 22-24.

The series against the Hoosiers left much to be desired from Iowa, which is why it must improve before it takes on Bradley at Banks Field today at 4:05 p.m.

4 โ€” runs scored in three games against Indiana

The Hawkeyes certainly have capable producers in the lineup, but they couldnโ€™t capitalize in Bloomington. Iowa scored just 1 run each  in two games and was outscored 20-2 in the pair.

In the first game of the series, the Hawkeyes only managed to plate 2 runs but kept it close, falling, 3-2.

Iowa racked up hits in Game 1 and Game 3 with 7 and 9, respectively, but it couldnโ€™t capitalize on the scoreboard.

13 โ€” earned runs surrendered by bullpen

While most of Iowaโ€™s starters werenโ€™t terrible โ€” Cole McDonald and Grant Judkins each gave up 2 earned runs โ€” things fell off in the bullpen.

In Game 1, Grant Leonard gave up the game-winning run to the Hoosiers in the bottom of the ninth, which ended up being a sign of things to come.

After Baumann had a rough start in Game 2, giving up 4 runs in 2.1 innings, the bullpen couldnโ€™t buck the trend. Kyle Shimp conceded 2 runs in an inning of work, Jason Foster gave up 4 in 0.2 innings, and Drew Irvine allowed 3 in two innings.

Judkins pitched six innings in the third game and allowed 2 earned runs and 2 unearned. He was followed by Trace Hoffman, who gave up 3 in the next inning.

Katina Zentz
Iowa pitcher Kyle Shimp prepares to throw the ball during menโ€™s baseball Iowa vs. Loras at Duane Banks Field on March 21, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated the Duhawks 6-4.

2.1 โ€” innings lasted by Cam Baumann

With Jack Dreyer out with injury, Baumann has stepped up in his typical Saturday-starter position on the mound. Against Indiana, the sophomore lasted just 2.1 innings in an all-around disastrous day defensively for the Black and Gold.

After a scoreless first, Baumann gave up a pair of runs in the second. Then, in the third inning, the lefty gave up 2 more, and head coach Rick Heller took him out.

In the 13-1 loss, Baumann faced 15 batters, striking out 3 and walking 4. This season, Baumann is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA. Heโ€™s given up 17 runs in his 21.2 innings on the mound โ€” just 2 fewer than Friday starter Cole McDonald, whoโ€™s pitched 10 innings more.

3 โ€” Hawkeyes recording multi-hit game

As a whole, Iowa notched 21 hits in its three games against Indiana. Justin Jenkins, Trenton Wallace, and Austin Martin were the only Hawkeyes to notch at least 2 hits in a single game.

Martin was the first, going 2-for-3 in the series opener. He recorded an RBI as well. Wallaceโ€™s 2 hits came in the second loss. He finished 2-for-4. Jenkins rounded out the trio, going 2-for-3 on Sunday.


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