Defensive Miscues Hurt Hoosiers in Series Opener

Friday, May 3

West Lafayette, Ind.

6:00 PM

Indiana University

25-19-1, 10-6

Purdue

31-15, 12-4

Indiana

Purdue

Defensive Miscues Hurt Hoosiers in Series Opener

5/3/2024 9:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A quartet of errors from the Hoosier defense on Friday (May 3rd) cost the Indiana Baseball team (25-19-1, 10-6 B1G) the series opener at Alexander Field in West Lafayette. Purdue plated five combined runs in the seventh and eighth to finish off a 7-4 Friday victory.

IU opened the game in top of the first on an RBI-single from redshirt freshman Joey Brenczewski but the defensive miscues began in the bottom half of the frame. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Keyster walked the first batter before he committed a throwing error. Purdue's three-hole hitter doubled into left field to take the lead right back.

The Hoosiers leveled the score in the sixth with a double from sophomore shortstop Tyler Cerny. IU had a chance to get out of the seventh but Cerny was forced to make a double play on his own and the throw was too late. Purdue's catcher Connor Caskenette singled to hand the hosts a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Graduate student pitcher Drew Buhr was phenomenal with 4.2 innings of work, allowing just five hits and zero runs with three strikeouts. He wasn't factored into the decision. Brayden Risedorph (L, 2-6) allowed five runs, only three were earned in 2.1 innings. His defense didn't help him with back-to-back errors forcing his exit from the contest.

The Hoosiers will hand the ball over to sophomore Connor Foley tomorrow afternoon who is scheduled to make his first appearance since the Penn State series. IU got multi-hit games from three different players but will look for more offensive production on Saturday (May 4th) afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM.

Scoring Recap
Top First
After a double from Josh Pyne and a single from Tyler Cerny, Joey Brenczewski singled past the outstretched arm of the Purdue shortstop to hand IU an early lead.
Indiana 1, Purdue 0

Bottom First
IU's lead was short lived in the first. Starting pitcher Brandon Keyster walked the first batter and then committed a fielding error on the very next play. Connor Caskenette made him pay, taking the next pitch into left field for a two-run double. Keyster only recorded one out. Drew Buhr came in to finish off the next two.
Purdue 2, Indiana 1

Top Sixth
After four-straight scoreless innings, Cerny leveled the score in the sixth with a double down the right field line to score Devin Taylor.
Indiana 2, Purdue 2

Bottom Seventh
Once again, Caskenette came to the plate to pounce on an IU miscue. Brayden Risedorph induced a groundball to the shortstop but IU couldn't complete the double play. The ball was hit hard enough that second baseman Jasen Oliver couldn't get to the bag. Cerny had to take it himself but the throw was late to first base. After taking second without a throw, Purdue got a two-run single up the middle to take a 4-2 lead.
Purdue 4, Indiana 2

Top Eighth
Taylor did his best to crawl back into the game. He hit a 440-foot home run, 110 miles per hour off the bat, over the fence to cut the deficit to one.
Purdue 4, Indiana 3

Bottom Eighth
Things got out of hand in the eighth as IU continued its defensive struggles. Risedorph got another groundball, this time to Brandon Burckel at second base, but he threw away a potential double play ball. The Hoosiers also had a catcher's interference and allowed a bunt single after slowly running for the ball that went right back to the pitcher. In total, Purdue plated three but left the bases loaded.
Purdue 7, Indiana 3

Top Ninth
The Hoosiers got a consolation run in the ninth. Brenczewski walked but a pair of hard hit balls right at the defense only allowed him to score via a sacrifice fly off the bat of Carter Mathison. Brock Tibbitts, who singled on his return to the lineup, was thrown out trying to steal second to end the game.
Purdue 7, Indiana 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#23 Brenczewski, Joey
1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB

#5 Taylor, Devin
2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

#24 Buhr, Drew
4.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 K

Notes to Know
• Graduate student Drew Buhr lowered his season earned run average (ERA) to 3.13 across 31.2 innings pitched and 16 appearances this year. He's continued his phenomenal performance as of late and has just a 1.31 ERA in conference play, allowing just three runs in 20.2 innings pitched in the Big Ten.

• Sophomore outfielder Devin Taylor hit his team-leading 12th home run of the season. In two years of college ball, he's hit 28 home runs. He also has 126 hits in just 99 games played.

• Junior third baseman Josh Pyne had a pair of doubles to take his career tally to 54. He moves into a tie for seventh in program history with Mike Sabo (1985-88). Next up on the all-time list is Sam Travis (2012-14).

Up Next
A quick turnaround awaits as these two teams are set to meet on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM. The game will be streamed on BTN+ and can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.