Kyle Schwarber, Andrew Saalfrank Make Big Plays, Help Teams Advance to NLDS
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks emerged victorious in Wednesday night's National League Wild Card games. And a big reason why was two former Indiana Hoosiers — Kyle Schwarber and Andrew Saalfrank.
Schwarber is the Phillies' leadoff hitter, and got the scoring started early in Citizens Bank Park with an RBI double in the third inning. His hit gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead over the Miami Marlins, a lead they would not relinquish all game on their way to a 7-1 victory.
Schwarber played for Indiana from 2012-14 and had a storied career in Bloomington. He earned All-Big Ten honors in each of his three seasons, was a two-time First Team All-American and was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Schwarber is the highest draft pick in Indiana baseball history.
In the IU record books, Schwarber ranks fifth all-time in slugging percentage (.607), sixth in home runs (40), eighth in hits (238) and eighth in runs (182).
But while Schwarber is the more recognizable name Hoosier that played a major role in a playoff win on Wednesday, he wasn't the only Hoosier.
Saalfrank was called up by the Diamondbacks in early September, and now he's out there making a game-saving playing in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Indiana lefty only threw six pitches and faced two batters, but that was all he needed to make his mark on the win. Saalfrank came in for Arizona with the bases loaded and just one out, and the Diamondbacks holding a precarious 5-2 lead. No matter. Saalfrank got out of the tough spot with ease, making a play in the field to get a runner out at home, and jamming the second batter, who grounded out to end the inning.
Thanks to Saalfrank's heroics, the Diamondbacks upset the NL Central Division champion Brewers, and will now face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
Saalfrank played at IU from 2017-19 and had a storied career on the mound. The lefty pitcher didn't produce much during his freshman and sophomore seasons, but absolutely dominated as a junior in 2019.
He finished that season with an 8-1 record as a starter, a 2.84 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched. For his efforts, Saalfrank was named the 2019 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and a Collegiate Baseball Second-Team All American.
Now, fans must wait a few days till they see Schwarber and maybe Saalfrank take to the baseball diamond again. Both Game 1 of the Phillies' series against the Atlanta Braves and Game 1 of the D-Backs' series with the Dodgers kick off on Saturday, with the times still TBD.
Related Stories on Indiana Baseball:
- SAALFRANK CALLED UP BY DIAMONDBACKS: Former Indiana baseball pitcher Andrew Saalfrank was called up to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, his first call-up to the MLB level. Saalfrank played at Indiana from 2017-19 and was named the 2019 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. CLICK HERE
- FORMER IU BASEBALL PLAYER HIRED AS NORTHWESTERN COACH: Former Indiana baseball player Ben Greenspan was hired as Northwestern's new head coach this summer. CLICK HERE