*****Official Regional Games Thread. #2 IOWA vs #3 N. Carolina at #14 Overall Seed Indiana St (Terre Haute) Regional (June 4, 11 am CT, ESPN+) *****
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
North Carolina plays Wright State tomorrow at 11:00 am CT in the losers bracket.
Iowa will play Indiana State at 5:00 pm CT.
Iowa will play Indiana State at 5:00 pm CT.
Just a few things to clean up. We'll look at film and go back to work.
Sincerely,
Krick Hellerentz
Ok, that's f'ing funny
Marty Sutherland in a postgame interview this season said "that's baseball."
I have said it before. Any time you watch a sporting event you should go in with the expectation that your team might lose. And there's many ways to lose (or win). Shit happens. Sometimes it's holy shit and you go away happy. Sometimes it's just shitty, and you go away sad.
Yeah...grumble grumble grumble....
I have issues with some decisions in this game.
grumble grumble....
A win is a win and we controlled that game, similar to a football game in 4th quarter leading by 21 and cut to a single score game and opponent has the ball. Get ready to go tomorrow Hawks! Indiana State throwing a nasty pitcher tomorrow, I believe he has 4 CG shutouts and only throws cutters...
With a 43-14 record, this Iowa team has surpassed the win-total high of the Rick Heller era (9 seasons over 10 years as coach). The 2015 team, which broke through to the NCAA Tournament, finished at 41-18.
Iowa's school record for wins in baseball is 44 (in 1981).
The Hawk fans made some noise tonight.
Check it out:
Iowa's school record for wins in baseball is 44 (in 1981).
The Hawk fans made some noise tonight.
Check it out:
Matt Jachec started today vs Wright State so I am assuming we see Connor Fenlong tomorrow.
This was Indiana State's recent pitching rotation:
Matt Jachec: Friday starter
Connor Fenlong: Saturday starter
Lane Miller: Sunday starter
We win tomorrow, we're in the driver's seat to win the regional.
Who would you start? Ty seems to have been the most consistent lately; maybe go with him?
Will be an interesting decision for Heller; hope he makes the right one!
The B1G goes 3-0 today.
Maryland 7, Northeastern 2
Indiana 12, West Virginia 6
Iowa 5, North Carolina 4
Maryland 7, Northeastern 2
Indiana 12, West Virginia 6
Iowa 5, North Carolina 4
Iowa is now 43-2 when scoring 5 or more runs and 0-12 when it scores 4 or fewer.
Click on "Hawkeyes down North Carolina" in the tweet to take you to the game story.
This. 100%. Survive. Advance.
That is a great question. I would think that Heller & Crew would have game theoried the scenarios and had their minds set prior to arriving in Terre Haute. I.e. If Iowa wins and Wright State wins . . . if Iowa loses and Indiana State loses . . . etc.
I will admit to being a bit biased towards Langenberg given that he's from Urbandale and I watched him lead the J-Hawks to two straight state championships and he's consistently been money in big games. Heller and McGrath have called him Iowa's "most consistent" starter all year long. You certainly have a better idea what you'll get from Langenberg than the roller coaster than has been Morgan and Brecht this year.
On the other hand, even though it's been a long while, the Sycamores have already seen him. Really flipping hard to prepare for a guy like Brecht. Other than the PSU approach ("stand there and make him throw you strikes and hope he implodes"), it would be really hard on short turn-around to game plan for what Brecht brings to the game. And, let's face it, if Brecht can harness his abilities and bring his "A" game, the Sycamores will likely be absolutely overwhelmed.
All in all, having to pick between Brecht and Langenberg is a wonderful problem to have.
I haven't read anything yet but . . . my money is on Brecht taking the hill.
If ISU is pitching Connor Fenlong, then - yes - he has 4 complete game shutouts.
Fenlong came in as a reliever against Iowa in Game 1 of the season. 5.2 IP. 4 hits; 1 walk; 4 Ks. Gave up the extra inning GS to Huckstorf. So . . . he threw 5 innings of shutout baseball against the Hawks (with Keaton in the lineup). No doubt that he's talented.
That written, digging a bit deeper into his resume, Fenlong's complete games have all come since April 23rd. Complete game shutouts against Southern Illinois (RPI #136), Bradley (RPI #204), Murray State (RPI #169) and Belmont (RPI #215). While complete game shutouts are - without a doubt - impressive, it's not as if he was mowing down top competition.
Earlier in the season, Northeastern, Kentucky and Michigan State hit the ball pretty well against him.
The stat that jumps out the most to me is the number of walks. Very low walk totals. Strongly suggests that he'll be around the strike zone - making the other team "earn" what they get. I'll be really curious to see the game plan put together by Heller and Sutherland. Do we see Iowa's hitters be aggressive early in the count as they expect Fenlong to try to get ahead and set up the slider as an out pitch? Or, are they more on the patient side in an effort to not only run up Fenlong's pitch count (he's got a lot of miles on that arm this season) but to look only fastball until Fenlong proves that he can throw sliders for strikes?
While there can be no doubt that one of Iowa's strengths this year is the depth in the lineup (batters 1-9), tonight would be a really good night for Dorighi and Tello to break out of the little mini-slump that they've been in.
Here's hoping for another fun ride tonight.
Heller facing his old team?
Iowa with a chance to tie the team record for wins in a season?
Iowa with a chance to take control of a Regional and a big step towards ending the 51 year absence from a Super Regional?
Iowa rallying around late season adversity to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes?
Lots of wonderful story lines. First pitch can't come soon enough.
Among the people who came over to watch the game last night was a guy who graduated from PV. During the post-B8 commercial break, we discussed whether Heller should go with Whitlock or hand it to Christopherson. By all accounts, Christopherson is very high-energy and McGrath has commented that his performance can be impacted if he is . . . for lack of a better term . . . "over-amped." While the decision (with benefit of hindsight) didn't work out so well, I loved it at the time. Get him an inning. 4 run lead - lower half of the batting order - low stress situation. Didn't love the way it ultimately played out but (a) he's seen action now in a Regional setting against a good hitting team; and (b) he threw about 25 pitches and will be available today if needed, Here's hoping that he got rid of the bad "juju" and he'll get back to throwing nasty strikes and having batters off balance in his next outings (and, yes, I meant to make that plural!)
If anyone is looking for a good game to help pass today’s time, #1 Okie State is playing #2 Dallas Baptist at 2:00 pm on ESPN2. Only region where top 2 seeds lost. Someone’s going home today very unhappy. Personally, I hope its DBU.
Actually…So. Miss. v. Auburn at 2:00 pm may also be a #1 v #2 game as well. Go So. Miss.
Actually…So. Miss. v. Auburn at 2:00 pm may also be a #1 v #2 game as well. Go So. Miss.
Last edited:
Heard a great interview with the Indiana coach this morning. Basically said that the NCAA regional is a one game sprint and not at all like conference play where you are simply trying to win a series and set a rotation. He said his approach is to simply win each inning and get the kids to play that way. After the game you can worry about what lies ahead.
I suppose it doesn't matter who pitches today as long as they are consistant and throwing a no hitter every inning.
WHO: Indiana State Sycamores (43-15 overall; 24-3 MVC; regional 1-seed)
WHEN: 5:00 PM CT (Saturday, June 3, 2023)
WHERE: Bob Warn Field (Terre Haute, IN)
TV: none
RADIO: Hawkeye Radio Network (John Leo and John Evans) | YouTube
MOBILE: www.espn.com/app
ONLINE: ESPN+ (Sam Ravech and Danan Hughes)
FOLLOW: @IowaAwesome | @UIBaseball | @IowaonBTN
LINE: Iowa -1.5 (O/U: 10.5)
Given that Indiana State is nestled in the heart of Big Ten country, it's no surprise that the Sycamores played several Big Ten opponents this season. ISU went 5-3 against the Big Ten, which included a pair of extra-inning wins over Illinois and two wins over Purdue (as well as two losses to Michigan State). Indiana State also recorded a split with in-state rival Indiana, with ISU losing at Bloomington 15-5 but beating the Hoosiers 4-0 at Terre Haute.
Iowa and Indiana State have a few other common opponents as well. Both teams beat Quinnipiac in the season-opening Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte, FL. Iowa suffered a midweek upset loss at Illinois State in late March, while the Sycamores swept the Cardinals in a three-game home series in early April. Iowa also won home and away against Bradley this year, while Indiana State swept Bradley in a three-game road series.
In that first encounter, Iowa got two runs in the second inning courtesy of a Sam Petersen solo home run and a RBI double by Sam Hjonar that scored Kyle Huckstorf. Iowa didn't score again until the 11th inning, when Huckstorf ended the game with a walk-off grand slam.
MORE HERE: https://iowa.rivals.com/news/preview-iowa-vs-indiana-state-ncaa-tournament-
WHEN: 5:00 PM CT (Saturday, June 3, 2023)
WHERE: Bob Warn Field (Terre Haute, IN)
TV: none
RADIO: Hawkeye Radio Network (John Leo and John Evans) | YouTube
MOBILE: www.espn.com/app
ONLINE: ESPN+ (Sam Ravech and Danan Hughes)
FOLLOW: @IowaAwesome | @UIBaseball | @IowaonBTN
LINE: Iowa -1.5 (O/U: 10.5)
INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES
Indiana State went 42-15 during the regular season this year, including a torrid 24-3 mark in Missouri Valley Conference action. The Sycamores were hot to end the season, winning 12 of their final 13 games entering the NCAA Tournament. ISU's strong season earned the Sycamores a national seed and allowed them to host an NCAA regional for the first time in program history. Indiana State went 20-4 in the friendly confines of Bob Warn Field this season, evidence of a pretty potent home field advantage.Given that Indiana State is nestled in the heart of Big Ten country, it's no surprise that the Sycamores played several Big Ten opponents this season. ISU went 5-3 against the Big Ten, which included a pair of extra-inning wins over Illinois and two wins over Purdue (as well as two losses to Michigan State). Indiana State also recorded a split with in-state rival Indiana, with ISU losing at Bloomington 15-5 but beating the Hoosiers 4-0 at Terre Haute.
Iowa and Indiana State have a few other common opponents as well. Both teams beat Quinnipiac in the season-opening Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte, FL. Iowa suffered a midweek upset loss at Illinois State in late March, while the Sycamores swept the Cardinals in a three-game home series in early April. Iowa also won home and away against Bradley this year, while Indiana State swept Bradley in a three-game road series.
THE REMATCH
Of course, there aren't just common opponents to look at when comparing Indiana State and Iowa this season -- there's also their past encounter. Iowa and Indiana State started the season against one another (at the aforementioned Snowbird Baseball Classic), with Iowa coming away 6-2 winners in extra innings.In that first encounter, Iowa got two runs in the second inning courtesy of a Sam Petersen solo home run and a RBI double by Sam Hjonar that scored Kyle Huckstorf. Iowa didn't score again until the 11th inning, when Huckstorf ended the game with a walk-off grand slam.
MORE HERE: https://iowa.rivals.com/news/preview-iowa-vs-indiana-state-ncaa-tournament-
can't afford walks
if it's Brecht today, I hope he's cool, collected, and has his control
Some video highlights from last night.
Dan Gable's grandson w/ the defensive play of the game.
Dan Gable's grandson w/ the defensive play of the game.
Probable pitching matchup:
Unless there is a change in plans today, it looks like it will be Brody Brecht (see quotes from Rick Heller below).
This was Indiana State's recent pitching rotation:
Matt Jachec: Friday starter
Connor Fenlong: Saturday starter
Lane Miller: Sunday starter
Matt Jachec started yesterday for Indiana St vs Wright State so I am assuming we see Connor Fenlong tonight.
Information from this morning:
Last edited:
Iowa has 14 losses on the season.
Among NCAA tournament teams, only #1 Wake Forest (10), #7 Virginia (12) and Oral Roberts (11) have a smaller number in the L column.
Ol' Doodle just thought it was an interesting stat.
Among NCAA tournament teams, only #1 Wake Forest (10), #7 Virginia (12) and Oral Roberts (11) have a smaller number in the L column.
Ol' Doodle just thought it was an interesting stat.
IF I am right and we face Connor Fenlong, we have seen faced him before; on Feb 17, to be exact, and we gave him a LOSS.
It's been a few months but Iowa beat Indiana State 6-2 in 11 innings on Feb 17, 2023 in Port Charlotte, FL. It was the season opener for both teams.
With the score tied at 2 heading into the bottom of the 11th inning, Huckstorf ended the game with a walk off grand slam (driving in Dorighi, Anthony and Tello).
Who pitched in that Feb 17 Iowa vs Indiana State game:
* Matt Jachec (the starter yesterday) pitched the first 5 innings.
* Connor Fenlong pitched the remaining 5 2/3 innings. Connor threw 75 pitches, gave up 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 hit batter and the 4 earned runs off the walk off grand slam. He also had 4 strike outs.
Ty Langenberg pitched 5 innings, giving up the 2 runs. Jared Simpson pitched 4 innings. Will Christophersen pitched the final 2 innings and got the win.
The walk off Grand Slam:
Last edited:
Iowa baseball has been around for 133 years (established 1890).
Something tells me that this Iowa team is going to win 45 or more games before it's all said and done, something that's never been done in program history.
Iowa's school record for wins in baseball is 44 (in 1981, which is 42 years ago).
North Carolina (36-23) has beaten Wright State, 5-0.
UNC will play the loser of Iowa/Indiana State tomorrow at 11:00 am CT.
UNC will play the loser of Iowa/Indiana State tomorrow at 11:00 am CT.
Tonight's Starting Pitching match up:
Stats are for the entire season.
WHIP = walks + hits divided by innings pitched
In the Major Leagues, the average WHIP is around 1.30 (Brody is at 1.31; Connor is at 1.08). Most middle-of-the-rotation pitchers will throw around this mark. Pitchers with a WHIP above 1.50 are generally thought of as poor and could be heading back to the minor leagues (or the bench).
....................Brody....Connor
...................Brecht....Fenlong
Record..............5-2..........9-2
ERA..................3.86........3.24
Innings................70.........100
Strike outs........101...........62
Home runs............1...........10
Earned Runs.......30.........36
Opp Bat Ave.....148 ......223
Walks..................57..........27
Hits.....................35..........81
WHIP...............1.31 ......1.08
Stats are for the entire season.
WHIP = walks + hits divided by innings pitched
In the Major Leagues, the average WHIP is around 1.30 (Brody is at 1.31; Connor is at 1.08). Most middle-of-the-rotation pitchers will throw around this mark. Pitchers with a WHIP above 1.50 are generally thought of as poor and could be heading back to the minor leagues (or the bench).
....................Brody....Connor
...................Brecht....Fenlong
Record..............5-2..........9-2
ERA..................3.86........3.24
Innings................70.........100
Strike outs........101...........62
Home runs............1...........10
Earned Runs.......30.........36
Opp Bat Ave.....148 ......223
Walks..................57..........27
Hits.....................35..........81
WHIP...............1.31 ......1.08
The guy that washes our windows is cousins with Lew's grandfather.
So, we're practically related ..... 😁
