AllClemson.com
Clemson Roughs up Hoosiers 9-0 in Baseball Season Opener
CLEMSON, S.C. — Jeff Mercer really didn't know what to expect from his Indiana baseball when it took the field for the first time on Friday against Clemson. It is, after all, still the dead of winter back at home.
On a sun-splashed 60-degree day in South Carolina, Clemson certainly looked like the team that had more prep time. The Tigers jumped on Indiana with three first-inning runs and never looked back, cruising to an easy 9-0 victory in the season opener for both schools.
Indiana had only three hits all day, singles by center fielder Bobby Whalen, designated hitter Matthew Ellis and right fielder Morgan Colopy. Clemson starter Mack Anglin threw five no-hit innings to get the win.
Whalen broke up the no-hitter with a single to right in the sixth inning off of reliever Olenchuk, and Ellis followed with another single, but first baseman Kip Fougerousse grounded out to first to end the threat, Indiana's first of the day.
The Hoosiers were already down 6-0 by then. Clemson hitters got to Indiana starter John Modugno early, scoring three runs in the first inning with five singles. Clemson shortstop Benjamin Blackwell hit a solo home run in the second to make it 4-0.
Modugno didn't make it out of the fourth inning, losing his mechanics a bit while hitting a batter, walking two more and throwing two wild pitches. He was replaced by Reese Sharp, who allowed a sacrifice fly that made it 6-0, but then closed out the inning with two strikeouts. Modugno finished the day allowing six runs, five earned, in just three-plus innings on 75 pitches.
Indiana's bullpen was solid on the day. Sharp pitched three innings and struck out seven, though he did walk four batters and allowed two runs. Ryan Kraft, a freshman from Mokena, Ill., made his college debut, pitching the last two innings. He struck out six batters while walking two and allowing one unearned run.
The two teams square off again on Saturday, starting at 3 p.m. ET. The series ends on Sunday with a 1 p.m. game. Jack Perkins, a transfer from Louisville who is a Kokomo, Ind., native, will get the start for Indiana.
For the full box score from Friday's game, CLICK HERE
How to watch Saturday's game
- VIDEO: The game can be streamed through the ACC Network's service, which is also carried on ESPN-Plus. Here is the link to watch the game: CLICK HERE
- AUDIO: The radio broadcast of the game is available on the Indiana Athletics website, iuhoosiers.com. To listen to the game, CLICK HERE
Related stories on Indiana baseball
- MODUGNO EARNS OPENING START: Indiana opens its 2022 college baseball season on Friday afternoon, and it's John Modugno who gets the ball first for the Hoosiers. He was very good as a spot starter and reliever a year ago, and he's got the perfect mindset and competitiveness to be Indiana's ace this season. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA SEASON PREVIEW: There are a lot of new faces on Indiana's baseball team this season, and a lot of fresh talent, too. The Hoosiers start what should be their first full season in three years on Friday, kicking off a three-game series at Clemson. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA BASEBALL SCHEDULE: Here is the complete 2022 Indiana baseball schedule, with game times and locations, starting with Friday's season opener in Clemson, S.C. CLICK HERE
- HOOSIERS PICKED SIXTH: Big Ten coaches released their preseason poll on Thursday and Indiana was picked to finish sixth in the league. Nebraska was the choice to repeat as league champions. CLICK HERE
- CLEMSON SETS STARTERS FOR WEEKEND: Clemson head baseball coach Monte Lee has announced a starting rotation ahead of the Tigers season opening series against Indiana. CLICK HERE
- MEET DUSTIN GLANT: Dustin Glant was on the fast track in the New York Yankees' organization as a pitching coach, but coming home to Indiana to be the pitching coach in Bloomington was an easy decision. Family comes first for this native Hoosier and his family, and he's thrilled to be here. CLICK HERE