Saturday, June 3
Lexington, Ky.
6 P.M.
Indiana University
43-18
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Kentucky
37-18
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Indiana
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Serruto Smashes Hoosiers to Win
6/3/2023 10:00:00 PM | Baseball
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nailbiters have been a theme for the Indiana baseball program in 2023, as the three-run blast off the bat of senior Peter Serruto in the seventh inning proved to be the difference in a 5-3 victory over No. 12 seeded Kentucky inside Kentucky Proud Park on Saturday (June 3).
The win puts IU into the Sunday (June 4) regional championship game at 6 p.m. between the winner of the West Virginia/Kentucky game (Noon). With a win, IU will advance to its second NCAA Super Regional in program history, but with a loss it will set up a winner-take-all game on Monday (June 5).
A first-inning, leadoff home run from senior Phillip Glasser put Indiana (43-18) on the scoreboard first, but Kentucky (37-19) answered with a run in the second inning. The game stayed tied at 1-1 before two Wildcat runs in the seventh. A three-run home run from Serruto gave IU the lead back in the bottom of the inning and an eighth inning run capped the scoring for IU.
The 43rd win of the season ties the 1996, 1987 and 1986 squads for the fifth-most in a single season in program history. The two-run victory marks the 20th win by two-or-fewer runs on the season for Indiana and makes IU 20-4 in games decided by one or two runs.
Indiana hit multiple home runs in an NCAA postseason game for the eighth time in program history and the third time in an NCAA Lexington Regional game. The 2017 team hit four home runs vs. Ohio and two more against Kentucky at Cliff Hagan Stadium - former home of the Wildcats - in the 2017 NCAA Lexington Regional.
Two home runs and a wild pitch provide just enough offense for Indiana, who out-hit Kentucky, 8-6. Freshman Devin Taylor and sophomore Josh Pyne each posted multi-hit games, while Serruto provided his 12th career multi-RBI game.
Glasser jumped the first pitch for his seventh home run of the season and second leadoff home run of the year (Purdue; May 12). Serruto's three RBIs mean Indiana has won 12 straight games with the right-handed hitter drives in an RBI and he also chipped in his 10th sacrifice hit of the season.
Freshman Connor Foley (4-2) fired the final 2 2/3 innings and didn't allow a run of his own on one hit to earn the victory. He induced five flyball outs, struck out two and got one ground out. The right-hander entered in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and stranded two of three inherited runners.
Sophomore Ryan Kraft threw four innings in the start and allowed one run on three hits with one walk ad two strikeouts. Redshirt senior Craig Yoho tossed 2 1/3 innings with two runs – one earned – allowed on two hits and two walks. He struck out four batters and hit three. The pitching staff stranded 10 base runners in the game, as well.
Starting pitcher Zack Lee (5-3) completed seven innings and allowed four runs on five hits. He hit one batter, did not walk anyone and struck out nine batters in the loss. Ryan Waldschmidt and Devin Burkes each drove in RBIs in the game, while six different Wildcats accounted for hits in the contest.
Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Phillip Glasser led off the inning with a first-pitch solo home run to left-center field.
Indiana 1, Kentucky 0
Top Second
A one-out double from Hunter Gilliam was followed by an RBI single from Ryan Waldschmidt.
Indiana 1, Kentucky 1
Top Seventh
The first batter of the inning grounded out and the next three reached with a hit-by-pitch, base hit and fielder's choice. With runners on first and second base, Jackson Gray hit a ground ball to second base that was thrown high to second base and allowed a run to score. A second hit-by-pitch loaded the bases and Devin Burkes extended the lead with a sacrifice fly.
Kentucky 3, Indiana 1
Bottom Seventh
Josh Pyne doubled and Hunter Jessee was hit-by-pitch with one out. After a flyout, Peter Serruto lifted a flyball to right field that landed in the IU bullpen to give the Hoosiers the lead back.
Indiana 4, Kentucky 3
Bottom Eighth
Devin Taylor and Brock Tibbitts singled, with an error putting runners on first and third with one out. A wild pitch scored Taylor from third.
Indiana 5, Kentucky 3
Up Next
Indiana will play the winner of the Kentucky/West Virginia on Sunday at 6 p.m. and with a win can advance to its second NCAA Super Regional in program history. Television designations will be announced at a later time. The games will be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network and available via the ESPN streaming platforms.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
The win puts IU into the Sunday (June 4) regional championship game at 6 p.m. between the winner of the West Virginia/Kentucky game (Noon). With a win, IU will advance to its second NCAA Super Regional in program history, but with a loss it will set up a winner-take-all game on Monday (June 5).
A first-inning, leadoff home run from senior Phillip Glasser put Indiana (43-18) on the scoreboard first, but Kentucky (37-19) answered with a run in the second inning. The game stayed tied at 1-1 before two Wildcat runs in the seventh. A three-run home run from Serruto gave IU the lead back in the bottom of the inning and an eighth inning run capped the scoring for IU.
The 43rd win of the season ties the 1996, 1987 and 1986 squads for the fifth-most in a single season in program history. The two-run victory marks the 20th win by two-or-fewer runs on the season for Indiana and makes IU 20-4 in games decided by one or two runs.
Indiana hit multiple home runs in an NCAA postseason game for the eighth time in program history and the third time in an NCAA Lexington Regional game. The 2017 team hit four home runs vs. Ohio and two more against Kentucky at Cliff Hagan Stadium - former home of the Wildcats - in the 2017 NCAA Lexington Regional.
Two home runs and a wild pitch provide just enough offense for Indiana, who out-hit Kentucky, 8-6. Freshman Devin Taylor and sophomore Josh Pyne each posted multi-hit games, while Serruto provided his 12th career multi-RBI game.
Glasser jumped the first pitch for his seventh home run of the season and second leadoff home run of the year (Purdue; May 12). Serruto's three RBIs mean Indiana has won 12 straight games with the right-handed hitter drives in an RBI and he also chipped in his 10th sacrifice hit of the season.
Freshman Connor Foley (4-2) fired the final 2 2/3 innings and didn't allow a run of his own on one hit to earn the victory. He induced five flyball outs, struck out two and got one ground out. The right-hander entered in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and stranded two of three inherited runners.
Sophomore Ryan Kraft threw four innings in the start and allowed one run on three hits with one walk ad two strikeouts. Redshirt senior Craig Yoho tossed 2 1/3 innings with two runs – one earned – allowed on two hits and two walks. He struck out four batters and hit three. The pitching staff stranded 10 base runners in the game, as well.
Starting pitcher Zack Lee (5-3) completed seven innings and allowed four runs on five hits. He hit one batter, did not walk anyone and struck out nine batters in the loss. Ryan Waldschmidt and Devin Burkes each drove in RBIs in the game, while six different Wildcats accounted for hits in the contest.
Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Phillip Glasser led off the inning with a first-pitch solo home run to left-center field.
Indiana 1, Kentucky 0
Top Second
A one-out double from Hunter Gilliam was followed by an RBI single from Ryan Waldschmidt.
Indiana 1, Kentucky 1
Top Seventh
The first batter of the inning grounded out and the next three reached with a hit-by-pitch, base hit and fielder's choice. With runners on first and second base, Jackson Gray hit a ground ball to second base that was thrown high to second base and allowed a run to score. A second hit-by-pitch loaded the bases and Devin Burkes extended the lead with a sacrifice fly.
Kentucky 3, Indiana 1
Bottom Seventh
Josh Pyne doubled and Hunter Jessee was hit-by-pitch with one out. After a flyout, Peter Serruto lifted a flyball to right field that landed in the IU bullpen to give the Hoosiers the lead back.
Indiana 4, Kentucky 3
Bottom Eighth
Devin Taylor and Brock Tibbitts singled, with an error putting runners on first and third with one out. A wild pitch scored Taylor from third.
Indiana 5, Kentucky 3
Up Next
Indiana will play the winner of the Kentucky/West Virginia on Sunday at 6 p.m. and with a win can advance to its second NCAA Super Regional in program history. Television designations will be announced at a later time. The games will be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network and available via the ESPN streaming platforms.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Foley, Connor (4-2)
L: Zack Lee (5-3)
Batting:
2B: Jase Felker 1 ; Hunter Gilliam 1
RBI: Devin Burkes 1 ; Ryan Waldschmidt 1
SF: Devin Burkes 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hunter Gilliam 1 ; Patrick Herrera 1 ; Grant Smith 1
SB: Jase Felker 1
CS: Ryan Waldschmidt 1
HBP: Jackson Gray 1 ; Jase Felker 2 ; Reuben Church 2
Batting:
2B: Pyne, Josh 1
3B: Taylor, Devin 1
HR: Glasser, Phillip 1 ; Serruto, Peter 1
RBI: Glasser, Phillip 1 ; Serruto, Peter 3
SH: Serruto, Peter 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Glasser, Phillip 1 ; Taylor, Devin 1 ; Pyne, Josh 1 ; Jessee, Hunter 1 ; Serruto, Peter 1
HBP: Jessee, Hunter 1
Game Leaders
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RBI
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4
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RBI
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Players Mentioned
RHP
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