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Big Ten Baseball Week 8 Update

Indiana met Minnesota over the weekend, sweeping the Golden Gophers. The Hoosiers opened the game in the second inning, scoring one run on a single by Drew Ashley. He came around to score later in the inning on a two-run double by Grant Richardson. Minnesota responded in the fourth, scoring two on a home run by Ronald Sweeny. Indiana added to their lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring two on a single by Morgan Colopy. He scored later in the inning on a wild pitch by Minnesota. Drew Ashley added some more insurance in the fifth, scoring two on a double to center field. Minnesota added one more in the seventh on a home run by Easton Bertrand. Indiana secured the 9-3 victory in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Paul Toetz on a wild pitch. Tommy Sommer rose to a strong 5-1 while J.P. Massey fell to 0-4. Minnesota fell to 4-21 as Indiana rose to 16-8. The two teams met again later that afternoon and saw another Indiana victory, this time 7-1. Drew Ashley opened the game for the Hoosiers in the third inning, hitting a three-run home run to left field. They added some insurance in the fourth, scoring three. Tyler Van Pelt brought the inning’s first run home on a double down the left field line and scored on a double by Morgan Colopy. Colopy then scored on an error by Minnesota. The Gophers earned their only run of the game in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Easton Bertrand. Indiana closed it out in the third, scoring one on a double by Collin Hopkins. Braden Scott earned his first win on the season while Jack Liffrig fell to 1-3. Minnesota fell to 4-22 as Indiana advanced to 17-8. Indiana took a huge victory over Minnesota on Sunday, winning 23-1. Grant Richardson opened the game for the Hoosiers in the first, bringing one home on a single to right field. Minnesota committed a big error later in the inning which led to two Indiana runners scoring. The inning continued with an RBI double by Morgan Colopy, and ended with another RBI double by Collin Hopkins. Indiana really broke it open in the second inning, taking a 13-0 lead. Minnesota quickly loaded the bases, and Indiana scored one on a walk. Collin Hopkins took advantage of the base runners, scoring two on a ground-rule double. Two more scored on a single by Paul Toetz, and Grant Richardson cleared the bases with a three-run home run. Minnesota’s only run came in the sixth inning on a ground out by Chase Stanke. Paul Toetz continued his strong weekend for the Hoosiers with an RBI double in the sixth, and scored on a single by Cole Barr. Morgan Colopy followed up with a three-run home run, stretching the Hoosiers’ lead to 17. After loading the bases again in the seventh, Minnesota walked in another run for Indiana. Tucker Schank cleared the bases later in the inning with a double down the left-field line and scored on a single by Hunter Jessee. Gabe Bierman climbed to 3-2 on the year as Trent Schoeberl fell to 0-3. Indiana sits at 18-8 after earning the sweep as Minnesota looks to overcome a 4-23 deficit. Series MVP: Morgan Colopy

Rutgers met Michigan for a three-game set, taking two over the Wolverines. Michigan took the opener on Friday, winning 6-4 over Rutgers. Rutgers struck first, scoring three on a double by Evan Sleight in the first inning. Michigan responded in the second, scoring one on a single by Tito Flores and another on a fly-out by Ted Burton. Rutgers added another in the fourth on a solo home run by Danny DiGeorgio. Michigan tied it up in their half of the inning, scoring one on a double by Tito Flores who scored on a triple by Ted Burton. The Wolverines took the lead in the eighth, scoring once on a single by Riley Bertram. Jordon Rogers secured the victory later in the inning, bringing one home on a single to right field. Joe Pace rose to 3-1 as Kyle Muller fell to 1-2. Rutgers fell to 12-13 on the year while Michigan advanced to 19-7. Rutgers tied the series on Saturday, earning a 4-2 victory over the Wolverines. The game was quiet until the fifth inning when Tito Flores scored Michigan’s first run on a wild pitch. Jordon Rogers added on later in the inning, bringing a run home on a sacrifice fly. Richie Schiekofer gave Rutgers the lead in the sixth inning, scoring three on a double to left-center. Jordan Sweeney closed it out for the Scarlet Knights, scoring Schiekofer on a single. Ben Wereski rose to 5-2 on the season as Cameron Weston fell to 4-2. Rutgers broke even at 13-13 while Michigan fell to 19-8. Rutgers secured the series win in Sunday’s finale, beating Michigan 3-2. Ryan Lasko opened the game for the Scarlet Knights in the third inning with a two-run home run to left field. Kevin Welsh added a much needed insurance run in the fourth, bringing one home on a sacrifice fly. Michigan began a comeback in the seventh with a two-run home run by Ted Burton, but Rutgers was able to hold them off and secure the win. Brent Teller broke even at 2-2 on the season for the Knights while Jacob Denner fell to 3-1. Rutgers looks to build on a winning 14-13 record after the series win as Michigan sits comfortably at 19-9. Series MVP: Ted Burton

Nebraska took on Michigan State over the weekend, taking two of three over the Spartans. The Cornhuskers opened the series with a 4-0 shutout victory over MSU. Spencer Schwellenbac struck first, scoring one on a double to left-center. Max Anderson later brought him home on a groundout to MSU’s second baseman. Joe Acker brought another run home in the fifth on a double to left-center and later scored on an error. Cade Povic rose to 4-1 on the season as Mason Erla fell even at 3-3. Nebraska took a strong 19-6 record while Michigan State fell to 11-16. Michigan State took game two over Nebraska, winning 4-2. Nebraska struck first, scoring Joe Acker on a wild pitch in the first inning. Michigan State tied it up in the third inning, scoring once on a single by Brock Vradenburg. Nebraska got their lead back in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Luke Roskam. That was short-lived, however, as MSU tied it back up in the next inning on a single by Zach Iverson. He later scored on a throwing error by Nebraska, giving the Spartans the lead. MSU closed it out in the seventh, scoring one on another single by Zach Iverson. Nick Powers climbed to 4-2 on the year while Chance Hroch fell to 3-1. Nebraska fell to 19-7 as Michigan State advanced to 12-16. Nebraska became the first Big Ten team to 20 wins on Sunday, taking the finale over MSU 9-6. They struck first by scoring Joe Acker on a fielder’s choice in the first inning. Luke Roskam followed up with a single to right field, scoring one. After loading the bases, MSU walked Brice Matthews to add another. They kept their momentum going into the next inning with an RBI double by Cam Chick. Max Anderson added two more in the inning with a single to right-center. Michigan State began a comeback in the bottom half of the inning, first scoring one on a single by Adam Proctor. Later in the inning, they scored two more on a single by Reese Trahey. Trent Farquhar added two more in the third inning on a double down the right-field line, and later scored on a sacrifice fly which tied the game. Neither team scored again in regulation, so the game headed to extras. It took until the twelfth inning until Nebraska finally scored on a single by Max Anderson. As insurance, Efry Cervantes brought two home on a single to left field. Spencer Schwellenbac earned his first win of the season as Sam Benschoter fell to 1-3. Nebraska holds the best record in the Big Ten after the series win at 20-7 while Michigan State looks to improve upon 12-17. Series MVP: Max Anderson

Purdue met Illinois for a three game set and dropped all three to the Illini. Illinois took the opener 6-5 after a nailbiter of a ninth inning against the Boilermakers. They struck first in the second inning, scoring one on a solo home run by Kellen Sarver. They added another in the fourth, scoring Justin Janas on an error by the Boilermakers. Kellen Sarver brought another home after grounding into a double play later in the inning. Jackson Raper brought one home in the seventh with a double down the right field line. After loading the bases later that inning, Purdue walked another run home for the Illini. Kellen Sarver added a much needed insurance run in the top of the ninth, giving Illinois a six run lead. Purdue started a comeback in the ninth, but fell just one run short of taking the game to extras. Ben Nisle started it off with a solo home run to right center. Zac Fascia added on by bringing one home on a double, and scored on a two-run home run by Ryan Howe. Kyle LaPlante brought the Boilers within one with a solo home run, but couldn’t capitalize. Andrew Hoffmann earned his first win of the season as Calvin Schapira fell to 0-4. Illinois rose to 11-14 while Purdue fell to 10-16. Purdue dropped game two 12-4 after a pitching implosion in the ninth inning. Illinois opened the game with a solo home run by Branden Comia, taking an early lead. Taylor Jackson added on in the second inning, scoring one on a single. Comia earned two more RBIs later in the inning, this time on a single. Justin Janas added another with a single to right center, giving the Illini a 5-0 lead. Purdue’s first run of the game came in the sixth inning via a single to right by Ryan Howe, who later scored on a two-run single by Jake Parr. Kellen Sarver continued his strong weekend at the plate in the seventh inning, bringing a run home on a single. Ben Nisle cut the lead to two in the bottom half of the inning, bringing one home for Purdue on a single to center. While the game was within reach, Illinois broke it apart in the top of the ninth, scoring six. After loading the bases for the Illini, Purdue walked in a run. Ryan Hampe then brought two home on a single to center. After loading the bases again, Jackson Raper cleared them with a three-run double. Nathan Lavender rose to a commanding 5-0 on the year as Trent Johnson fell to 2-3. Illinois advanced to 12-14 while Purdue fell to 10-17. Both teams put on a stellar pitching performance at Sunday’s finale, only allowing one unearned run in nine innings. Illinois claimed that run in the top of the ninth inning, scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Kellen Sarver. Ryan O’Hara earned the win, rising to 2-0 as Eric Hildebrand fell to 1-1. Illinois looks to break even after rising to 13-14 while Purdue hopes to improve upon 10-18. Series MVP: Kellen Sarver

Ohio State earned the series victory over Penn State after taking two of three from the Nittany Lions. Zach Dezenzo opened game one for the Buckeyes with a solo home run in the first inning. Sam Wilson followed him up in the second, hitting another solo shot. Penn State took a quick lead in the third inning, scoring four on a grand slam by Johnny Piacentino. Ohio State responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring one on a solo home run by Kade Kern. The Buckeyes tied the game in the next inning, scoring one on a single by Nick Erwin. Penn State got their lead back in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by Matt Wood. Ohio State tied it once again in the bottom of the inning, scoring one on a wild pitch by Penn State. After loading the bases in the sixth inning, Penn State gave the Buckeyes two runs with back-to-back walks. PSU got within one in the seventh, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly. Ohio State added some insurance in the eighth, first scoring on an error by Penn State. The Buckeyes added another on a single by Brent Todys, and two more on bases-loaded walks. Ohio State took the opener 11-6 over Penn State. Garrett Burhenn advanced to 3-2 on the season while Tyler Shingledecker fell to 1-2. Penn State sat at 8-17 after the loss as Ohio State advanced to 14-12. OSU earned another commanding win on Saturday, beating Penn State 7-0. Kade Kern opened it up for the Buckeyes in the first inning, scoring one on a single to left center. Brent Todys followed up with a sacrifice fly to center, and Kern later scored on a wild pitch. Mitchell Okuley added another in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to right field. Todys earned his second RBI of the day in the sixth inning, bringing a run home on a double. He later scored on a double by Marcus Ernst. After loading the bases in the eighth, Penn State’s pitching walked in a run to secure the win for the Buckeyes. Seth Lonsway rose to 2-4 on the season as Conor Larkin fell to 2-5. Penn State fell to 8-18 and Ohio State advanced to 15-12. Penn State prevented a sweep by winning 10-6 in Sunday’s finale. The Nittany Lions struck first this time, scoring one on a double by Gavin Homer in the third inning. He scored in the next at bat when Tayven Kelley hit a two-run home run. Ohio State responded in the fourth inning, scoring two on a home run by Conner Pohl. They took the lead later in the inning on a three-run home run by Nate Karaffa. Penn State came back in the sixth, coming within one on a double by Josh Spiegel. Later in the inning, they took the lead on a two-run double by Parker Hendershot. Ohio State tied the game again in the bottom of the inning, however, on a solo home run by Brent Todys. Penn State took the lead once again in the seventh inning on a two-run double by Justin Williams. PSU secured the win in the ninth by scoring one on a single by Johnny Piacentino. Mason Mellott broke even at 5-5 on the season as Isaiah Coupet fell to 2-3. Penn State looks to overcome a 9-18 record after the weekend as Ohio State hopes to hold onto a winning record at 15-13. Series MVP: Brent Todys 

Maryland took on Iowa over the weekend as part of a three-team pod in Iowa City. After taking an early lead, Maryland dropped game one to Iowa, losing 6-2. Matthew Shaw opened the scoring in the third inning, bringing a run home on a sacrifice fly to center field. He ended up being responsible for all of Maryland’s runs on Friday, bringing the second home on a single in the sixth. Iowa responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring Matthew Sosa on a wild pitch, and taking the lead on a two-run double by Brendan Sher. They added to their lead in the following inning, scoring one on a bunt single by Dylan Nedved, and another on a single by Zeb Adreon. The Hawkeyes closed out the victory in the eighth inning, scoring one on a single by Peyton Williams. Trace Hoffman rose to 3-0 on the year as Sean Burke fell to 2-3. Maryland fell even at 13-13 while Iowa advanced to 16-10. Maryland evened the series on Saturday, taking game two 8-6. They struck early, scoring three on a home run by Benjamin Cowles. Matthew Shaw added on in the fourth, bringing one home on a single. Iowa responded in the sixth inning, scoring two on a double by Dylan Nedved. He later scored on a fielding error by Maryland. The Terrapins added some much needed insurance in the seventh inning, scoring one on a double by Tommy Gardiner who later scored on a single by Tucker Flint. Matthew Shaw continued his strong weekend in that inning, scoring two on a single to right field. Iowa began a comeback in the eighth, scoring one on a single by Dylan Nedved. Matthew Sosa added another run with a single to left field. The Hawkeyes got within two in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Peyton Williams, but Maryland was able to hold them off. Nick Dean earned his first win of the season as Drew Irvine fell to 2-3. Maryland rose to 14-13 while Iowa fell to 16-11. Series MVP: Matthew Shaw

Maryland faced a second opponent over the weekend, taking both games over Northwestern. The Wildcats struck first in Saturday’s opener, scoring one on a double by Ethan O’Donnell in the second inning. Benjamin Cowles tied it up for the Terrapins with an RBI single in the third inning. Matthew Shaw came around to score on an error later in the inning, giving Maryland the 2-1 victory. Logan Ott earned his first win of the year as Mike Doherty fell to 1-2. Maryland rose to 15-13 while Northwestern fell to 12-13. The Terrapins earned the two game sweep on Sunday, beating Northwestern 9-7. The Wildcats struck first, scoring Shawn Goosenberg on an error. Maryland responded in their half of the inning, tying the game on a single by Maxwell Costes. Tommy Gardiner gave the Terrapins the lead later in the inning on an RBI single. Luke Shliger added another in the inning on an error by Northwestern. The Wildcats got one back in the second inning on a single to left field by Leo Kaplan. Matthew Shaw added another run for the Terrapins in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single. Northwestern came within one in the fourth on a solo home run by Ethan O’Donnell and tied the game on a double by Shawn Goosenberg. O’Donnell gave the Wildcats their first lead in the fifth, bringing two home on a single. Maryland quickly responded, however, and tied it up in the bottom of the inning on a two-run single by Bobby Zmarzlak. He later scored on a single to right field by Chris Alleyne. The Terrapins added some insurance runs in the seventh, scoring one on a double play, and another on a Northwestern error. The Wildcats came within two after an RBI single by Vincent Bianchina in the ninth, but Maryland closed it out. Sean Fisher rose to 1-3 after the win and Tyler Uberstine fell to 2-3. Northwestern sat at 12-14 after the sweep while Maryland looks to add onto a 16-13 record. Series MVP: Ethan O’Donnell


Iowa earned two big victories over Northwestern, sweeping the short set. The Wildcats opened game one by scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by Michael Trautwein. Iowa quickly tied it in the second on a single by Zeb Adreon. Dylan Nedved gave the Hawkeyes the lead on a sacrifice fly to left field. Izaya Fullard added another in the third, bringing one home on a single. Ben Norman added some insurance in the fourth, clearing the loaded bases with a double. In the fifth, Zeb Adreon brought two home on a single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brendan Sher. Northwestern got one back in the sixth on a ground out by Michael Trautwein. Brayden Frazier brought another Hawkeye run home in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. Zeb Adreon earned another RBI in the same inning, bringing one home on a single. He later scored on a single by Matthew Sosa. Northwestern earned another run in the seventh on a solo home run by Ethan O’Donnell. Peyton Williams tacked on another run for the Hawkeyes in the bottom of the inning, hitting a solo home run to left field. Trautwein earned his third RBI of the day in the eighth inning, scoring one on a double for the Wildcats. Ben Norman closed out the 15-4 victory for Iowa with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth. Cam Baumann rose to 4-2 on the year as Quinn Lavelle fell to the same record. Iowa rose to 17-11 while Northwestern fell to 12-15. Iowa earned another high-scoring victory on Monday, beating the Wildcats 12-9. Northwestern took another early lead on a solo home run by Stephen Hrustich in the first inning. David Dunn added on in the second with another solo shot and was followed by another by Ethan O’Donnell. Dylan Nedved scored the first run for Iowa in the second, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field. Brayden Frazier added on in the fourth with another sacrifice fly. Izaya Fullard tied the game for the Hawkeyes in the fifth, hitting a solo home run. Stephen Hrutisch got the lead back for Northwestern in the sixth on yet another solo home run. Ben Norman tied it up again for Iowa in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly. Izaya Fullard got the lead back later in the inning, scoring one on a double. Leo Kaplan tied the game for Northwestern yet again in the seventh, scoring one on a triple to right field. Evan Minarovic scored one on a single later in the inning, and he scored on a two-run home run by Shawn Goosenberg. Iowa started a small comeback in the eighth, scoring one on a single by Trenton Wallace. They came within one on a single by Austin Martin and tied the game yet again with a sacrifice fly by Brayden Frazier. Shawn Goosenberg got the lead back for the Wildcats in the top of the ninth, scoring one on a single. Ben Norman tied it once more for Iowa with a single in the bottom of the inning and scored on a three-run walk-off home run by Brett McCleary. Dylan Nedved rose to 3-0 on the year while Reed Smith fell to 1-3. Northwestern sits at 12-16 after being swept, and Iowa looks to build upon a strong 18-11 record. Series MVP: Ben Norman

Image credit: Dave Wegiel

Madelyn Hipp

Madelyn is currently a student in Aviation Management at Purdue University. She is a huge Cleveland and Big Ten baseball fan, among other sports such as hockey, golf, NASCAR, and air racing. She can be found @baseballcontext on Twitter.

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