Cerny, Taylor Stay Hot to Beat Redhawks

Tuesday, February 20

Bloomington, Ind.

4:00 PM

Indiana University

3-1

Miami (Ohio)

0-4

Miami

Indiana

2/20/2024 8:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The outstanding sophomore duo of outfielder Devin Taylor and shortstop Tyler Cerny combined to go 7-for-9 with three RBIs as the Indiana Baseball team (3-1) won its home opener over Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 20) at Bart Kaufman Field.

IU took the lead for good with a three-run fifth inning, highlighted by the first pair of RBIs in the career of redshirt freshman first baseman Joey Brenczewski. Redshirt sophomore Grant Holderfield (W, 1-0), making his first appearance since 2022, was awarded the win for an inning of scoreless work.

Junior third baseman Josh Pyne was responsible for four RBIs including a three-run home run in the third inning. He, Taylor, Cerny and junior outfielder Carter Mathison all had multi-hit contests. Cerny's four hits, which matched his career high, are the most by a Hoosier this year.

Eight pitchers appeared on Tuesday afternoon, five of which made their debut for the program. Freshman right-hander Seth Benes made his collegiate debut, tossing an inning as the starter while recording two strikeouts. Brenczewski and Andrew Wiggins both made their first career starts.

The Hoosiers hit the road this weekend for a three-game set against Baylor in Waco before returning home next Tuesday (Feb. 27) against Purdue Fort Wayne to close out the month of February.

Scoring Recap
Top First
Zach Macdonald opened the scoring for the Redhawks, homering to center field in the top of the first inning,
Miami 1, Indiana 0

Bottom Second
The Hoosiers responded in the second with Andrew Wiggins recording the RBI of his young career on a sacrifice fly to left field, driving Tyler Cerny in.
Indiana 1, Miami 1

Top Third
The visitors took the lead back in the third inning with Evan Appelwick hitting a solo home run.
Miami 2, Indiana 1

Bottom Third
Josh Pyne got ahold of a fastball up 2-0 in the count, unloading on his first long ball of the season. His 402-foot three-run home run scored Carter Mathison and Brandon Burckel and gave IU a two-run lead.
Indiana 4, Miami 2

Top Fifth
Miami came level in the fifth with a pair of runs. Ty Batusich grounded out to Burckel at second, driving Applewick around to score. On a bunt single down the third base line, Tyler Gordon scored and tied the game after a throwing error from Pyne.
Indiana 4, Miami 4

Bottom Fifth
IU's lead for good came in the bottom of the fifth. A sac-fly line drive from Tibbitts scored the first run before Joey Brenczewski doubled down the left field line to drive in two insurance runs.
Indiana 7, Miami 4

Bottom Sixth
Devin Taylor's lone RBI of the night came on an opposite field single which scored Mathison and put the Hoosiers up by four runs.
Indiana 8, Miami 4

Top Seventh
David Novak hit a towering two-run home run over the bullpen in left field to cut into the lead, Miami's third long ball of the contest.
Indiana 8, Miami 6

Bottom Eighth
The Hoosiers added four more in the eighth to put the game to rest. Pyne doubled into the gap to score, nearly extending the hit into a triple before being held up after rounding second. Pyne would score two batters later after a throwing error from Miami's pitcher ended up in the outfield. Cerny drove in Taylor on another double into left field for the 12th run of the contest.
Indiana 12, Miami 6

Stats to Know
• Tyler Cerny's reached base streak extended to 19 games on Tuesday afternoon. He's reached safely in all four games this season in addition to the final 15 games of 2023.

• Cerny and Taylor are both hitting .500 on the season with nine hits in 18 at-bats. The pair of sophomores have also combined for six runs and nine RBIs.

• Grant Holderfield made his first official game appearance in 643 days, going over 21 full months without pitching for the Hoosiers due to a season-ending injury in 2023. He collected the win in his first outing back.

• Josh Pyne's third-inning home run traveled 402 feet according to Track Man data collected in the park. It was the third 400-foot home run by a Hoosier this year with Carter Mathison having the other two.

Top Hoosier Performers
#32 Pyne, Josh
• 2-4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR

#5 Taylor, Devin
• 3-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB

#8 Cerny, Tyler
• 4-5, 2 R, 2 RBI

Up Next
Indiana will head to Waco, Texas for a three-game set with Big 12 opponent Baylor. The series runs Friday-Sunday with the first contest set for 7:30 PM ET on Friday (Feb. 23) evening. The games will be available via ESPN+/Big 12 Now and can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.