Indiana at Oregon

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 12:46 p.m.:

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LHP Jackson Bergman is not listed in the rotation for the second straight weekend. Rivera is moved to a Friday open (can't really be a 'start' on just 4-days rest). Tony Neubeck moves to Saturday, Brayton Thomas to Sunday. This might be a 'pitching backward' strategy. They have three chances to get 2 wins, and going against Sanford is the least likely of the three. Saving the best bullets for more winable games.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 12:59 p.m.:

I watched film on the last two Will Sanford starts. Very effective in both, but very different too.

The Sanford vs. Arizona... good luck. Was commanding everything most of the day. Fastball up to 96 with life, breaker locating well with a ton of induced downward action.

Sanford vs. Purdue: effectively wild. He was missing a lot. Several walks including walking in a run. Purdue still only plated two in 5 innings, because they just couldn't square him up when he was in the zone.

Good news: he's really just a two pitch guy. If IU can tell the pitches apart Hoosier hitters may be able to cover their zones and not expand, while also not looking at a lot of third strikes. There will be no margin for error. He won't give a lot of pitches to hit. They have to take advantage of those pitches when they come.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 1:12 p.m.:

Reagan Rivera for IU has been a Jekyl & Hyde type. When he has 4-seem fastball command, he may have the best stuff on the staff. When he doesn't, opposing hitters absolutely crush him. He was the better version most of this past Sunday, until the coaches tried to extend him into the fifth and he gave up back-to-back jacks off the scoreboard. It was out of nowhere too, because he looked so sharp with 93 mph velo in the fourth. Not sure how they can identify when he's losing it better.

Perhaps three innings is the most he can realistically see.

With a Friday opener my thought is they have to pair Rivera up with somone who can get some length, is relatively rested, has a different profile from Rivera, and not someone who would be needed with the remaining starters. I'm thinking LHP Conner Linn.

Then if IU somehow gets to the 6th inning with a lead (not very likely), then turn to Gavin Seebold. If not, give the ball to guys that have something to prove and/or an innings eater like Pete Haas.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 6:43 p.m.:

Tonight's lineup in Eugene. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nWyFfOIOUd

— Indiana Baseball (@IndianaBase) March 13, 2026

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 6:45 p.m.:

Jeff Mercer chooses to favor left-handed bats against the Oregon righty by having Hogan Denny catch and adding the left handed bat of Cole Decker to the outfield.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 6:58 p.m.:

On the IU audio feed Austin Render’s interview with Mercer, coach confirmed that Rivera is an opener 3-4 innings. He mentioned multiple options but stressed that Conner Linn would be a good potential matchup.

Top of inning 1 with 1 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:08 p.m.:

Moore flies out to left to start this one.

Top of inning 1 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:13 p.m.:

Hogan Denny is called out for a slight flinch of his arm that was ruled a “lean in”. This is not called in the college games I’ve viewed.

Top of inning 1 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:14 p.m.:

Brayden Ricketts doubles and scores on two wild pitches. Sanford has completely lost his command and this proves the really bad call earlier that has cost the Hoosiers at least one run.

End of top of inning 1 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 1 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:17 p.m.:

Malamazian pops out to end the inning.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:19 p.m.:

⭐️ PFP! Rivera slide catch on a bunt for out number one. How has word not gotten out that you don’t bunt for a hit on Rivera?

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:20 p.m.:

Rivera falls behind 3-1 and hard contact falls for an out in right field.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:23 p.m.:

Rivera gets ahead of the 3-hole hitter, but can’t finish him, allowing a double to the right field corner.

End of bottom of inning 1 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 1 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:25 p.m.:

A line out keeps the Hoosiers up by 1 run after the first inning.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:31 p.m.:

Caleb Koskie takes a couple of good hacks at fastballs bus is caught looking at a breaking ball. Landen Fry flies out to left.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:32 p.m.:

Sanford is definitely the one who pitched at Purdue. He walks Cole Decker with two outs.

End of top of inning 2 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 1 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:38 p.m.:

Ayden Crouse is frozen by a curveball to end the frame.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:39 p.m.:

Another PHP, this one even more impressive! ⭐️ Then a strikeout.

End of bottom of inning 2 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 1 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:41 p.m.:

Two strikeouts and PFP. Rivera deals a 1-2-3 in the second.

End of top of inning 3 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 1 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:50 p.m.:

Hoosiers make some decent contact but go down 1-2-3 in the third. I like what the Hoosiers are doing at he plate. This is a tall order to string together hits against Sanford.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:51 p.m.:

Walk and wild pitch have Oregon with a runner in scoring position with no outs.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:53 p.m.:

Two pitches miss badly when the batter was hoping to bunt. Matt Myers is out to talk to his opener.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:54 p.m.:

Rivera walks the would-be bunter on four pitches.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 7:55 p.m.:

Rivera picks off the lead runner!

End of bottom of inning 3 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 1 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8 p.m.:

⭐️ Hogan Denny guns down the would-be base stealer! Rivera is through three scoreless.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:03 p.m.:

Jake Hanley rips a single up the middle to lead off the inning.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:04 p.m.:

Hanley moves to second on a wild pitch.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:05 p.m.:

Another wild pitch gets Hanley to third. Four wild pitches for Sanford.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:07 p.m.:

Front door breaker perfectly placed puts Cooper Malamazian down on strikes.

End of top of inning 4 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:09 p.m.:

Koskie is out on a very well hit liner. With two outs, Landen Fry cashes in the run with a single, extending the Hoosier lead. A deep fly out ends the frame. Hoosiers are doing quite well against Sanford.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:12 p.m.:

Lead off four pitch walk to start the fourth. He does gets ahead 0-2 to the next batter.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:18 p.m.:

3-2 groundout with the runner going has a runner on second and two outs.

End of bottom of inning 4 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:19 p.m.:

Shallow contact to left field is played on a slide by Caleb Koskie. Rivera has done his job. Four scoreless innings. I expect that is all from him, but I’ve been wrong before.

End of top of inning 5 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 0 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:24 p.m.:

Sanford gets two strikeouts and a groundout. Moore looked at four straight pitches, while Denny grounded out on a first pitch breaking ball.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:25 p.m.:

As I predicted, lefty Conner Linn is the first out of the bullpen for Indiana.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:27 p.m.:

Linn misses badly on all four pitches for a lead-off walk.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:30 p.m.:

Linn recovers with a nice 2-2 strikeout, swinging on an inside fastball.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:33 p.m.:

An 0-2 pitch with two strikes is a low inside slider that hits the batters foot and brings up the top of he order.

Bottom of inning 5 with 0 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 1 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:35 p.m.:

An infield RBI double (not a typo) has Oregon on the board with the go-ahead run in scoring position.

End of bottom of inning 5 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 1 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:39 p.m.:

Linn limits the damage, needed almost 30 pitches, but the Hoosiers still lead.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:45 p.m.:

A two-out fielding error puts Malamazian on first base.

End of top of inning 6 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 1 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:50 p.m.:

Fielder’s choice ends the frame.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:51 p.m.:

Matt Myers puts all his chips on the table going to Gavin Seebold here. Seebold delivers a quick strikeout.

Bottom of inning 6 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 2 runs | 3 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:55 p.m.:

Seebold allows a 2-out solo shot.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:56 p.m.:

Seebold has lost the zone after allowing the homer. 4-pitch walk and falls behind 1-0. Denny comes out to talk to Seebold.

End of bottom of inning 6 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 2 runs | 3 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 8:59 p.m.:

Strikeout limits the damage. All tied up with three innings to go.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9 p.m.:

Sanford is back on the bump. Indiana needs to get back on fastball timing and hit him.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:02 p.m.:

Fastball-curveball combo gets Fry swinging. 9 strikeouts by Sanford.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:04 p.m.:

Decker draws a 1-out walk. Sanford now at 105 pitches.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:07 p.m.:

Owen ten Oever pinch hits and swings at 94mph high heat to go down for Sanford’s 10th strikeout victim.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:08 p.m.:

Back pick overthrow gets Decker to third base!

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:08 p.m.:

Mound visit with Sanford at 110 pitches.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:10 p.m.:

Moore is plunked to bring up Hogan Denny in a huge spot. Oregon elects to go to the bullpen.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:12 p.m.:

RHP sophomore Tanner Bradley is the new Duck pitcher. 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP with a 38% strikeout rate.

End of top of inning 7 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 2 runs | 3 hits | 2 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:15 p.m.:

Denny grounds into a fielder’s choice and the runners are stranded.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:16 p.m.:

TJ Schuyler replaced ten Oever and will catch. Denny moves to right field.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:17 p.m.:

Lead off-double ripped to center, just missed by Decker in center.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:18 p.m.:

Sacrifice bunt puts the go-ahead run at third with the top of the order. Seebold needs a strikeout or a shallow pop-up here.

Bottom of inning 7 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 3 runs | 4 hits | 2 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:22 p.m.:

Sacrifice fly gives Oregon the lead. The bet to go with Seebold with just a 1-run lead and needing 12 outs is looking shaky now. Hoosiers will be in a tough spot in this series if they lose this game now.

End of bottom of inning 7 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 3 runs | 5 hits | 2 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:24 p.m.:

Groundout ends the frame, but the Ducks have the advantage. Indiana needs multiple runs now to win this.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:27 p.m.:

Brayden Ricketts leads-off the inning with a single.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:30 p.m.:

Hanley works the count full, but goes down swinging. He looked at two breaking balls in the zone before swinging early on what looked like a change-up.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:32 p.m.:

Malamazian is swinging at a slider off the plate. Two down.

End of top of inning 8 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 3 runs | 5 hits | 2 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:35 p.m.:

Bradley gets the next three on strikes. Multiple off speed pitches have Indiana hitters way off-balance.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:37 p.m.:

Seebold generates a quick ground-out.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:39 p.m.:

Cole Decker robs extra bases at the wall. Two down.

End of bottom of inning 8 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 3 runs | 5 hits | 2 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:40 p.m.:

1-2-3 inning for Seebold

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:43 p.m.:

Hoosiers have 7-8-9 up. Oregon turns to 27% K righty Devin Bell.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:44 p.m.:

Fry gets a lead-off single

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:45 p.m.:

Decker moves the tying run to scoring position with a groundout. TJ Schuyler up in a huge spot.

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:46 p.m.:

Schuyler grounds out. It’s up to Will Moore.

End of top of inning 9 (FINAL):

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 2 runs | 3 hits | 0 errors

• Ducks: 3 runs | 5 hits | 2 errors

entry by Carl - March 13, 2026, 9:54 p.m.:

The big bet does not pay off. The Hoosiers burn a ton of good pitching in a great game, but now the Hoosiers will have to find a way with a very thin bullpen. The Hoosiers bats will have to produce big leads and give these pitchers a chance to breathe.