Baseball Drops Series Opener

Thursday, March 28

Indianapolis, Ind.

4:00 PM

Indiana University

13-13

Butler

11-12

Indiana

Butler

3/28/2024 6:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Indiana Baseball team (13-13, 1-2 B1G) dropped the series opener to Butler 6-2 on Thursday (March 28) night at Bulldog Park. The Hoosiers used five arms, holding Butler to just six runs. However, IU's offense mustered just six hits and two runs on a slow moving offensive evening.

Sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor had the lone multi-hit night for the Hoosiers as only five players in the offensive lineup recorded a hit. Sophomore right-hander Aydan Decker Petty (L, 0-1) was handed the loss after conceding three runs in two innings.

The two teams resume the weekend series in Bloomington tomorrow evening. Sixth-year senior Ty Bothwell gets the nod for the Hoosiers. First pitch is set for 5:00 PM at Bart Kaufman Field.

Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Jack Moroknek opened the scoring in the first inning, doubling into the gap in left-center field to score Joey Urban. Kade Lewis followed it up later in the frame with a no-doubt two-run home run. Butler took the lead and would never concede it on Thursday night.
Butler 3, Indiana 0

Bottom Third
Moroknek continued his hot night in the third. He was the first batter to face IU reliever Ryan Rushing and cranked a home run over the right field wall.
Butler 4, Indiana 0

Top Fourth
Josh Pyne handed IU its first run of the night on a sacrifice fly to the center fielder. Brock Tibbitts scored on the play.
Butler 4, Indiana 1

Top Fifth
The Hoosiers missed a massive chance in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Tibbitts lined a ball that was caught and dropped by the shortstop. There was no out on the initial contact but all runners had to freeze, allowing Butler to turn a wild 6-4-5 double play. Carter Mathison scored on the play before the third out was made. Tibbitts' at-bat went down as a fielder's choice.
Butler 4, Indiana 2

Bottom Fifth
Butler got both runs back in the bottom of the frame. Kade Lewis hit a line drive sacrifice fly to center field to score Moroknen (three runs on the day). Xavier Carter followed with a solo home run, Butler's third and final long ball of the evening.
Butler 6, Indiana 2

Top Hoosier Performers
#5 Taylor, Devin
2-4

#19 Keyster, Brandon
2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 R

Notes to Know
• Nick Mitchell extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a bunt single down the third base line. Freshman Jasen Oliver also recorded a hit, pushing his season and career-best streak to eight games.

• Brock Tibbitts had one RBI on the night. He's got a team high 29 on the season. Devin Taylor now has a team best 37 hits in the campaign.

Up Next
IU continues its series with Butler as the final three games of the set move to Bloomington. Friday's game will have a first pitch at 5:00 PM before a Saturday doubleheader. All three games will be streamed on BTN+ or can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.