Round Rock Classic Preview: Indiana
The Omahogs hit the road this weekend, vacating the frozen tundra of Baum-Walker Stadium for the slightly less frozen confines of Dell Diamond in central Texas. That’s where the Karbach Round Rock Classic will be held this weekend, featuring #2 Arkansas, #6 Stanford, Indiana, and Louisiana. Like most early season baseball tournaments, this is a round robin setup where each team will play a new opponent over a three-day stretch.
Saturday afternoon’s matchup between the Razorbacks and the Cardinal is the highlight of the weekend, but the Hogs will get a stern test from the Indiana before first. The Hoosiers are coming off a decisive road sweep at the hand of traditional power Clemson. But don’t expect Indiana to roll over for the Hogs. They got thrashed by the Tigers on Friday and Saturday (combined score of 28-4) to take Clemson to extras on Sunday before succumbing 5-4 in 10 innings.
If nothing else you can count on Indiana to challenge hitters. From Burke Granger’s D1Baseball report from the weekend:
Despite the lopsided run differential this weekend, Indiana fans can take solace in the fact that the pitching staff struck out 41 Clemson hitters. Reese Sharp was true to his surname in relief on Friday, punching out seven hitters and allowing just one hit over three innings. The 6-foot-3 sophomore missed bats with both his 93-94 mph fastball and his power 78-83 mph breaking ball (2600-2729 rpm).
Brayden Tucker threw well in a multi-inning appearance on Sunday with the game on the line. A veteran pitcher with big game experience under his belt, he was unphased by the rowdy crowd. Long and lean at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, the righthander has a loose delivery and showed the ability to sequence a three-pitch mix that included a 90-91 mph fastball, slurvy 78-81 mph breaking ball and an 83-84 mph changeup with late tumble. He struck out three in two and two thirds.
Indiana had its midweek contest against Miami (OH) postponed due to weather, so they’ll be fully rested and ready for Arkansas on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00pm. That time could be pushed back based on the outcome of the first game which features #6 Stanford v. Louisiana.
