Bats Explode, Hoosiers Advance to Saturday Semifinals

Thursday, May 23

Omaha, Neb.

3:00 PM

Indiana University

32-22-1

#7 Ohio State

29-25

Indiana

Ohio State

Bats Explode, Hoosiers Advance to Saturday Semifinals

5/23/2024 7:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

OMAHA, Neb. – It was an offensive explosion for the Indiana Baseball team (32-22-1, 15-9 B1G), putting up 14 runs on 14 hits, scoring multiple runs in four different innings enroute to a 14-7 victory over seventh-seeded Ohio State on Thursday (May 23) afternoon.

The Hoosiers put up a five spot in the second inning, taking advantage of three free passes to begin the inning. Freshman designated hitter Andrew Wiggins had a two-run double while junior third baseman Josh Pyne had an RBI-double of his own in the second frame.

Junior outfielder Carter Mathison had a three-hit day, his third-straight multi-hit game. Junior outfielder Devin Taylor crushed a home run in the eighth inning, the only long ball hit by either team on the day. All nine starters in IU's lineup had at least one hit. Five different Hoosiers scored multiple runs.

IU's pitching staff lacked command at time in today's contest but held Ohio State to seven runs. It has held opponents to seven-or-fewer runs in 15-straight games, dating back to the second game of a doubleheader at Minnesota on April 21st. Sophomore reliever Aydan Decker-Petty (W, 2-2) threw three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

The Hoosiers are now in a fantastic spot, but the job is not complete. IU will get an extra day of rest on Friday before coming back to play either (2) Nebraska or (7) Ohio State. Head coach Jeff Mercer's squad just needs one win on Saturday (May 25) to advance to a potential winner-take-all championship game on Sunday in Omaha.

Scoring Recap
Top Second
The Hoosiers put the pressure on early, scoring five in the second inning. Jasen Oliver laced a ball, with the bases loaded, that was caught by the center fielder. Tyler Cerny tagged and scored on the play. Andrew Wiggins placed a ball perfectly in the left field corner, bringing home a pair on a two-run double. Devin Taylor smashed a ball into the right field gap to score Wiggins. Josh Pyne hit the third double of the inning to bring home Jake Stadler.
Indiana 5, Ohio State 0

Top Third
Just when the momentum was all on IU's side, the Buckeyes took it right back. Connor Foley loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch. After getting a strikeout of the leadoff man, Henry Kaczmar grounded one back to the pitcher's mound. Foley tried to grab it but stumbled and threw the ball away from home, allowing two runs to score. Ohio State scored one more on an RBI-groundout before a balk by Foley scored a fourth run.
Indiana 5, Ohio State 4

Bottom Fourth
Ryan Miller singled with the bases loaded, lacing a ball past the outstretched arms of Carter Mathison to score a run. The Buckeyes couldn't strike on more, hitting a ball right at Oliver at second base to end the frame.
Indiana 5, Ohio State 5

Top Fifth
A pair of errors from the second baseman Joseph Mershon, sandwiched around a single from Mathison, loaded the bases with no outs for IU. It was able to strike for a pair of runs on a fielder's choice from Wiggins and a ground out from Stadler.
Indiana 7, Ohio State 5

Top Sixth
Brock Tibbitts added a key insurance run in the sixth, drilling a ball into the gap in right field to score Nick Mitchell all the way from first base.
Indiana 8, Ohio State 5

Top Eighth
Taylor began another inning of batting through the whole order, leading off the inning by crushing a solo home run into the bullpen in right field. Cerny, Mathison and Oliver followed suit with an RBI-double, RBI-single and a sacrifice fly as the Hoosiers hung four in the frame.
Indiana 12, Ohio State 5

Bottom Eighth
Things got hairy in the eighth as walks loaded the bases once again for Ohio State. Kaczmar singled to center to score Miller before Isaac Cadena grounded out to third, sacrificing the out for a seventh run of the day.
Indiana 12, Ohio State 7

Top Ninth
IU got another pair of runs in the ninth. Tyler Cerny grounded out via fielder's choice but drove in Taylor. Mathison recorded his third hit of the day, doubling into right field to bring home Cerny.
Indiana 14, Ohio State 7

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

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

Notes to Know
• The Hoosiers put 14 runs on the board in the victory over Ohio State. It tied a program single-game record in a Big Ten Tournament contest for runs scored. IU also scored 14 in a game against Illinois on this day 16 years ago (May 23). IU's five doubles were the most in a conference tournament game since 2009.

• Tyler Cerny recorded his 23rd double of the season on Thursday afternoon. He now sits alone in third place for doubles in a single season in program history. He has the most doubles in one campaign since Dustin DeMuth (24) in 2013. Cerny and Josh Pyne (21) are the first pair of IU teammates each with 20+ doubles in a season since 2013 (DeMuth and Sam Travis).

• Devin Taylor hit his 18th home run of the season on Thursday. He has home runs in six of his past eight games. His 18 long balls are tied for eighth in a single season in program history with Matthew Ellis (2022), Kyle Schwarber (2013) and Alex Smith (1986).

• The Hoosiers have won their first two games in the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2014. IU hasn't made a conference tournament title game since that same campaign. Its 22 runs in the first two games of the Big Ten Tournament are the most to open a week in program history (last: 21 – 2009).

Up Next
The Hoosiers will meet an undetermined opponent on Thursday afternoon against either No. 2 Nebraska or No. 7 Ohio State. IU just needs one win on Saturday to advance to the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 9:00 AM CT. It will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network and can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.