Sanders: After heartbreaking loss, Hoosiers’ legacy will live on
By BROCK SANDERS
ISL Correspondent
For Indiana’s baseball team, what appeared to be a chance at the NCAA Super Regional round turned into heartbreak in a matter of seconds. 
In a double-elimination Regional bracket, Indiana had already knocked off Stanford to send the Cardinal to the losers’ bracket. As Stanford worked its way through the losers’ bracket, Indiana was waiting for the Cardinal in the Regional Final. Because of the double-elimination and Indiana had yet to lose, Stanford needed to beat the Hoosiers twice in order to move on to the Super Regional for a shot at Vanderbilt. Stanford won the first game 10-7 leading to an inevitable win or go home final game at Bart Kaufman Field in Bloomington.
After a three hour rain delay interruption, that is where the Indiana team found themselves Monday night. The Hoosiers led 5-4 with one-out in the bottom of the ninth, but Stanford had a runner on second, and Stanford’s lead-off hitter Tommy Edman at the plate. For Edman, it really is a situation you dream about as a little kid. The Hoosiers were feeling pretty confident at this point, needing only two outs to move on to the next round. Fans watched the unconventional approach of Scott Effross, Indiana’s sophomore closing pitcher, as he delivered the pitch when suddenly the lefty turned on it and cranked the ball over the right field wall. Just like that, the amazing run for the Hoosiers had ended on a walk-off home run.
The Hoosiers team was understandably upset after the game, but gave a lot of credit to the Cardinal.
“You know, a lot of credit to them…it could be us hosting or playing next weekend, just as easily as it is them right now, and they have got it done but I’m not going to sit and root against them,” Hoosiers coach Tracy Smith said after the game. “I hope they do well.”
The Hoosiers had several missed opportunities throughout the game, and the walk-off was certainly not the only reason they lost. Indiana left ten runners on base.
“They play good defense,” Indiana’s Sam Travis said. “Sometimes we hit it right at them. Sometimes we just swing and miss. You know, it’s baseball. Just didn’t go our way tonight.”
The last two years have undoubtedly been a huge success for the Hoosiers. For a Big Ten, Midwest team to not only make it to the NCAA Tournament but become the conference’s first national seed ever is a pretty honorable accomplishment. It is tough for Midwest teams to compete with the talent of the southern and west coast teams where weather is more favorable year-round. Louisville and Indiana both impressed this year as a couple of Midwest teams to make it as national seeds in this year’s tournament.
For the Hoosiers, the pain of losing may not be as harsh as the realization that their run may be over. With many players likely leaving for the MLB Draft or graduating, the future does not appear to be as bright as the past two years. Any fan or bystander could tell how close the team was and how the family aspect really came to fruition over this past year.
“I’ll speak for all of us. It’s tough,” catcher Kyle Schwarber said. “I mean, this group of guys…they are all brothers to us. I’m not going to lie; this is my favorite team to be on.”
As the season comes to an end for the Hoosiers, their legacy will unquestionably live on. Their overachievement the last two years is something to be remembered. A brotherhood like the one this team shared is something special that will definitely last forever. The spirit of the team can be summed up by a quote from Dr. Seuss: “Don’t be sorry that it’s over, smile because it happened.”
