Comeback Kids Strike Again

Friday, May 10

Lincoln, Neb.

7:05 PM

Indiana University

Nebraska

5/10/2024 11:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

LINCOLN, Neb. – It's not over until it's over. Not with this team. Down two runs in the ninth, the Indiana Baseball team (28-19-1, 13-6 B1G) put up seven runs to take the series opener, 10-5, in a massive weekend at Nebraska. The Hoosiers batted 11 players in the final inning, overturning a multi-run deficit for the second time in as many games.

Junior outfielder Carter Mathison had a pair of hits in the final frame including a leadoff double and a two-run single to further the damage. Freshman second baseman Jasen Oliver had an RBI-single to cut the deficit to one. Junior third baseman Josh Pyne drove in the tying run on a sacrifice fly.

With the bases loaded, Nebraska tried to pick off the runner at second but threw the ball into center field. Sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor scored the go-ahead run and IU tacked on four more insurance runs to close it out.

Jacob Vogel got the final three outs, lowering his season earned run average to 0.48 across 18.2 innings this year. Brayden Risedorph (W, 3-6) got the win. He had to throw 73 pitches in 3.1 innings of work but kept the game in hand to give IU a chance in the ninth. Ty Bothwell was not factored into the decision but went 4.2 innings with just one run and three strikeouts.

The Hoosiers continue to keep pace at the top of the Big Ten race. IU, Purdue and Illinois all won tonight. The Fighting Illini remain a game up on both the Boilermakers and Hoosiers for the conference lead. Closing out a series victory tomorrow (7:05 PM ET/6:05 PM CT) will go a long way in having a chance to win the league next weekend.

Scoring Recap
Top First
Devin Taylor hit a home run to lead off the game for the Hoosiers, his 13th long ball of the season.
Indiana 1, Nebraska 0

Top Fourth
After a Nebraska error extended the inning, Brock Tibbitts got an RBI on the sacrifice fly to score Nick Mitchell.
Indiana 2, Nebraska 0

Bottom Fifth
The Huskers finally cracked Ty Bothwell in the fifth on a two-out rally. A single and walk put runners on as Josh Caron singled to left field to open the scoring. Brayden Risedorph was able to get the final out on an unassisted ground ball to the shortstop.
Indiana 2, Nebraska 1

Bottom Seventh
Caron handed Nebraska the lead in the seventh, launching a home run into the deepest part of the ballpark to go up a run.
Nebraska 3, Indiana 2

Top Eighth
Jasen Oliver quickly tied the game back up on a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning.
Indiana 3, Nebraska 3

Bottom Eighth
Things got hairy for Risedorph in the eighth who was stretched a long way on his pitch count to help the rest of the bullpen. A walk and a single put two runners on. Nebraska gave IU an out on a sacrifice bunt but the runners advanced into scoring position. The Hoosiers brought their infield in and Joshua Overbeek hit a ground ball at Oliver. IU made the throw home but Clay Bradford, the pinch runner, made a fantastic slide to beat the catcher's tag. One more came around on a sacrifice fly.
Nebraska 5, Indiana 3

Top Ninth
Once again, a little bit of comeback magic struck in the ninth. Carter Mathison led off with a double and immediately advanced to third on a ground out from Cal Sefcik. Oliver singled into left field to close the gap to one. Devin Taylor singled to put runners on the corner. Josh Pyne came through with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at five. An intentional walk and a five-pitch walk to Tyler Cerny loaded the bases. Nebraska tried to pick off Mitchell at second but threw the ball into center field, allowing Taylor to score the go-ahead run. Joey Brenczewski delivered a two-run single and Mathison drove in another pair of runs as IU blew it open late.
Indiana 10, Nebraska 5

Top Hoosier Performers
#3 Mathison, Carter
2-5, 1 R, 2 RBI

#5 Taylor, Devin
2-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

#2 Oliver, Jasen
2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Notes to Know
• IU was able to score 10+ runs for the 20th time this season. In those games, the Hoosiers are 19-1. In nine of IU's 13 conference wins this year, it has scored 10+ runs.

• Devin Taylor homered to lead off the game and finished with a multi-hit game, his sixth-consecutive multi-hit game and 25th of the season. In his last 10 games, he's hitting a sizzling .455 (20-44) with six home runs and 11 RBIs.

• The Hoosiers have now overturned three multi-run ninth-inning deficits in conference play, all of which resulted in eventual wins. IU scored three in the ninth vs. Penn State (W, 10-9), four in the ninth at. Purdue (W, 5-4) and seven in the ninth at Nebraska (W, 10-5).

Up Next
A chance at winning the series on the road awaits IU tomorrow night at Nebraska The game, with a first pitch of 7:05 PM ET, will be carried nationally on the Big Ten Network and can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.