DeNato, Travis come up big for Indiana in win over Stanford
By CRAIG DRAGASH
ISL Correspondent
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana rode on the backs of All-Americans Joey DeNato and Sam Travis, and they delivered in a 4-2 regional win over Stanford on Saturday.
DeNato pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing only two runs, six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts.
“He did a great job of changing speeds and keeping us off balance,” said Stanford coach Mark Marquess. “He’s a veteran pitcher that knows how to pitch.”
DeNato gave up one run in the first inning, then settled down and didn’t allow a run for the next four innings, until Austin Slater, who was one of the few who had success against DeNato, hit a solo home run to left. Slater went 2 for 4 and drove in both Cardinal runs.
DeNato pitched into the eighth inning, allowing a leadoff double to Tommy Edman, then recorded a big strikeout against Danny Diekroger before giving way to Jake Kelzer, who allowed only one hit in his 1 2/3 innings.
“I thought I pitched well enough to give my team a chance to win,” said DeNato. “I stuck with the changeup pretty much for my out pitch, and just went from there.”
Travis, a first-baseman who went 3-for-5, had a solo home run in the fifth inning to give the Hoosiers a 3-1 lead. He drove in two of Indiana’s four runs on the night.
“I do whatever I can to help my team win in postseason play,” Travis said.
Indiana opened the scoring in the top of the first as Kyle Schwarber ripped a double down the right field line scoring Casey Rodrigue, who led off the game drawing an eight-pitch walk.
Stanford answered in the bottom of the inning, on Slater’s run-scoring double.
Travis drove in Indiana’s second run in the third on a single to right center after fouling off four pitches with two strikes.
“That was one of my favorite at bats of his this year,” said Smith. “That was a crucial time of the game. That’s why I think he’s one of the top hitters in the country.”
Slater’s home run cut the lead to 3-2 in the sixth after Travis’ solo shot in the fifth. In the top of the eighth, Will Nolden came to bat with two outs, and runners on first and second. After working the count to 3-2 with runners in motion, Nolden lined a single to center to score Travis with a big insurance run to extend the lead to 4-2.
After a two out pinch hit double in the ninth by Wayne Taylor, Travis contributed a big defensive play as well diving to his right to snag a Dominic Jose’ ground ball, and Travis beat Jose’ to the bag for the final out and the victory.
“I thought to me, that was college baseball at its finest,” said Smith. “You had two quality opponents almost mirroring each other. Good players on both sides tonight stepped up and made plays.”
Having DeNato pitch into the eight inning sets up Indiana’s pitching well for the rest of the regional.
“It’s very important (that DeNato went deep into the game),” said Smith. “We’re not taking anything for granted. We’re expecting a tough battle with whomever we face tomorrow.”
Indiana will face the winner of the Stanford-Youngstown State elimination game at 6:00 on Sunday.
Youngstown State 5, Indiana State 2
The Penguins used a strong performance by starting pitcher Patrick O’Brien to eliminate the Sycamores. O’Brien allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched. Penguins catcher Josh White was 2 for 4 with a run scoring single, and Phil Lapari scored two runs.
For the Sycamores, Landon Curry, Jeff Zahn, and Connor McLain each had two hits.
“This can be a tough game, and it can really be a tough game if you play from behind,” said Indiana State coach Mitch Hannahs, who finished his first season with the Sycamores. “Obviously, that club over there is disappointed.”
Indiana State finished its season with a 35-18 record.
