Friday, February 14
Surprise, Ariz.
7:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
UNLV
Baseball Central: Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic
2/12/2025 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The marathon journey through the college baseball season begins on Friday (Feb. 14) in Surprise, Arizona for head coach Jeff Mercer and the Indiana Hoosiers. After back-to-back regional appearances, IU is looking to break through to a Super Regional and a Big Ten title.
IU will play a pair of games with UNLV on opening weekend and also meet Xavier and No. 7 Oregon State for important resume-boosting opportunities. The Hoosiers have their home opener scheduled for February 19th against Purdue Fort Wayne.
The Hoosiers are boosted by the return of six position players that each started 40+ games in 2024. Chief among the returning core is Preseason All-American Devin Taylor. The likely first round draft pick provided a Big Ten-leading 20 home runs last season and led the team with a .357 average.
IU will have to make up for the loss of Ty Bothwell and Connor Foley on the mound but strengthened the rotation with the additions of transfer arms Gavin Seebold (Southern Indiana), Cole Gilley (Indiana State) and Jackson Yarberry (St. Louis). Veteran right-handed pitcher Ben Grable is back after missing all of 2024 through injury.
Redshirt senior catcher Jake Stadler, junior shortstop Tyler Cerny and sophomore second baseman Jasen Oliver lead the charge through the middle of the diamond defensively. Cerny and Oliver combined on 20 home runs last season and are everyday starters from the jump. Senior third baseman Josh Pyne missed most of the fall but is back in his fourth season as a starter.
All four games will be broadcasted on Flo Sports at the links below. Ben Haller will have the radio broadcast on whcc105.com or iuhoosiers.com. Start times for each of the four games are listed in Eastern Time.
Gameday Info
vs. UNLV (Friday, February 14th – 7:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/40HLa5z
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/4gvZCDB
vs. Xavier (Saturday, February 15th – 7:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/3XblXjh
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/4hIxpuc
vs. #7 Oregon State (Sunday, February 16th – 2:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/430VZmj
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/40QitU1
vs. UNLV (Monday, February 17th – 12:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/3Q6skAq
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/3Qa1SFQ
Probable Starters
Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic
• Friday vs. UNLV: RHP Gavin Seebold, R-Sr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• Saturday vs. Xavier: RHP Cole Gilley, Gr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• Sunday vs. #7 Oregon State: TBD
• Monday vs. UNLV: TBD
Leading Off
DT RAKES
Junior outfielder Devin Taylor enters 2025 as a consensus Preseason All-American and the favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year. He is just 12 home runs away from breaking IU's all-time program record. Taylor
also needs 51 hits to reach 200 in his career.
QUIET STAR
Junior shortstop Tyler Cerny flies under the radar in comparison to his fellow junior star Taylor. But the Greenwood, Ind. native is poised for a massive season. He's only 58 hits away from the 200 mark and is also searching for his third-straight season with 10 home runs.
PYNE PROVIDES
Senior third baseman Josh Pyne has been an everyday guy for head coach Jeff Mercer the last three years. He's just six (6) doubles away from breaking IU's all-time record. He's also hoping to be the first IU player to appear in 200 career games since Logan Sowers (2015-18).
NEXT FRESHMAN STAR
First baseman Jake Hanley and catcher/outfielder Hogan Denny are next in line to make waves as a true freshmen in Bloomington. IU's had at least one true freshman hit 10+ home runs in three-straight campaigns. Expect freshman infielder Cooper Malamazian to get a start on opening weekend as well.
BUHR IS BACK
Veteran reliever Drew Buhr received an extra year of eligibility and intends to make it count. Expect pitching coach Dustin Glant to turn the ball over to Buhr early in the weekend. The Austin, Ind. worked a 2.08 earned run average in Big Ten play in 2024.
RUNS GALORE
The Hoosiers can score and score fast. Jeff Mercer's ballclub has scored at least 480 runs in each of the last two seasons. It's been since 1985 that the Hoosiers have reached 500 runs in a year. Last year's mark of 482 sits No. 5 in program history.
BREAKING ONTO THE SCENE
Each year under pitching coach Dustin Glant, the Hoosiers have had at least one breakout star on its pitching staff. Last year it was Buhr and former left-handed star Ty Bothwell. With a much deeper rotation and some veteran arms, expect the same to come true in 2025.
Scouting the Opponent
UNLV (0-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
• The Rebels will play Indiana twice on opening weekend, marking the first two meetings between the sides in program history. UNLV finished 26-26 last season and were selected fourth in the preseason Mountain West Baseball poll. They received one first place vote.
• Veteran infielder JP Hefft is UNLV's top returning hitter. He batted .328 last year with 12 doubles, three home runs and 33 RBIs. He joins fellow infielder Chase Ditmar in returning players to start at least 35 games for the Rebels last season.
• UNLV will have to replace staff ace Austin Cates (107 strikeouts in '24) but return junior right-handed pitcher Sam Simon. He is the only returning player to pitch more than 50 (55.2) innings last season. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Carson Lane made nine starts as a freshman.
Xavier (0-0, 0-0 Big East)
• IU will meet longtime regional foe Xavier on opening weekend in Arizona for the first of two meetings this season. The two sides will also play on Feb. 25 in Bloomington. Xavier went 30-27 last season and picked up wins over LSU, Louisville and UConn.
• Junior outfielder Isaac Wacshmann was limited to just 28 games last season but was tabbed as the Preseason Big East Player of the Year by D1 Baseball. He smashed 10 home runs and hit .330 despite missing half of the campaign. Luke Hammond, Connor Misch and Aedan Anderson were all Preseason All-Big East selections by the coaches.
• Xavier has a number of options on the mound including three guys returning from injury. Jake Hooker, Ryan Piech and Jared Gadd all have high-end stuff and could feature early. Luke Hoskins, Logan Schmidt and Nick Boyle were starters last season but could flip into high-leverage bullpen roles for the Musketeers.
• Former IU right-handed pitcher Evan Whiteaker transferred to Xavier after last season. Coming to Bloomington was longtime designated hitter Tyler DeMartino who will play his sixth season of college baseball for the Hoosiers. IU won the last meeting in 2023 (W, 8-6) but Xavier won three of four in a series at Bart Kaufman Field in 2022.
#7 Oregon State (0-0, Independent)
• Perennial power Oregon State will play its first season as an independent team following the latest round of conference realignment last summer. The Beavers have made seven trips to the College World Series and have won three national championships.
• Oregon State is boosted by the transfer addition of former Washington shortstop Aiva Arquette (.325, 12 HR). He joins a lineup with some serious pop in the bat. Junior outfielder Gavin Turley hit 19 home runs last season and recorded 75 RBIs. Junior first baseman Jacob Krieg smashed nine home runs as well.
• Sophomore right-handed pitcher Eric Segura is the lone holdover from last year's weekend rotation. There's no set role for the All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention selection but he had a 6-1 record and held a 4.93 earned average over 69.1 innings as a freshman. Junior left-handed pitcher Nelson Keljo is expected to be the Friday ace.
Inside the Series
UNLV
• These two teams have never met in baseball. IU last played a current member of the Mountain West when it met eventual national champions Fresno State three times in 2008.
Xavier
• Separated by just a couple hours, these two foes are much more familiar. IU holds a 28-6 advantage in the all-time series but the Musketeers have won three of five since head coach Jeff Mercer took over the program in 2019. These two teams will play again on February 25th in Bloomington.
#7 Oregon State
• Despite being separated by over 2,200 miles, IU and Oregon State have met six times since 2011. The Beavers have won all six contests including an elimination game in the College World Series in 2013. The two teams have met once during the Jeff Mercer era at IU. Oregon State won 8-3 on March 9, 2019 in a neutral site game in Seattle. Future big leaguer Tanner Gordon (Rockies) took the loss for the Hoosiers.
IU will play a pair of games with UNLV on opening weekend and also meet Xavier and No. 7 Oregon State for important resume-boosting opportunities. The Hoosiers have their home opener scheduled for February 19th against Purdue Fort Wayne.
The Hoosiers are boosted by the return of six position players that each started 40+ games in 2024. Chief among the returning core is Preseason All-American Devin Taylor. The likely first round draft pick provided a Big Ten-leading 20 home runs last season and led the team with a .357 average.
IU will have to make up for the loss of Ty Bothwell and Connor Foley on the mound but strengthened the rotation with the additions of transfer arms Gavin Seebold (Southern Indiana), Cole Gilley (Indiana State) and Jackson Yarberry (St. Louis). Veteran right-handed pitcher Ben Grable is back after missing all of 2024 through injury.
Redshirt senior catcher Jake Stadler, junior shortstop Tyler Cerny and sophomore second baseman Jasen Oliver lead the charge through the middle of the diamond defensively. Cerny and Oliver combined on 20 home runs last season and are everyday starters from the jump. Senior third baseman Josh Pyne missed most of the fall but is back in his fourth season as a starter.
All four games will be broadcasted on Flo Sports at the links below. Ben Haller will have the radio broadcast on whcc105.com or iuhoosiers.com. Start times for each of the four games are listed in Eastern Time.
Gameday Info
vs. UNLV (Friday, February 14th – 7:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/40HLa5z
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/4gvZCDB
vs. Xavier (Saturday, February 15th – 7:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/3XblXjh
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/4hIxpuc
vs. #7 Oregon State (Sunday, February 16th – 2:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/430VZmj
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/40QitU1
vs. UNLV (Monday, February 17th – 12:00 PM ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/3Q6skAq
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/3Qa1SFQ
Probable Starters
Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic
• Friday vs. UNLV: RHP Gavin Seebold, R-Sr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• Saturday vs. Xavier: RHP Cole Gilley, Gr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• Sunday vs. #7 Oregon State: TBD
• Monday vs. UNLV: TBD
Leading Off
DT RAKES
Junior outfielder Devin Taylor enters 2025 as a consensus Preseason All-American and the favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year. He is just 12 home runs away from breaking IU's all-time program record. Taylor
also needs 51 hits to reach 200 in his career.
QUIET STAR
Junior shortstop Tyler Cerny flies under the radar in comparison to his fellow junior star Taylor. But the Greenwood, Ind. native is poised for a massive season. He's only 58 hits away from the 200 mark and is also searching for his third-straight season with 10 home runs.
PYNE PROVIDES
Senior third baseman Josh Pyne has been an everyday guy for head coach Jeff Mercer the last three years. He's just six (6) doubles away from breaking IU's all-time record. He's also hoping to be the first IU player to appear in 200 career games since Logan Sowers (2015-18).
NEXT FRESHMAN STAR
First baseman Jake Hanley and catcher/outfielder Hogan Denny are next in line to make waves as a true freshmen in Bloomington. IU's had at least one true freshman hit 10+ home runs in three-straight campaigns. Expect freshman infielder Cooper Malamazian to get a start on opening weekend as well.
BUHR IS BACK
Veteran reliever Drew Buhr received an extra year of eligibility and intends to make it count. Expect pitching coach Dustin Glant to turn the ball over to Buhr early in the weekend. The Austin, Ind. worked a 2.08 earned run average in Big Ten play in 2024.
RUNS GALORE
The Hoosiers can score and score fast. Jeff Mercer's ballclub has scored at least 480 runs in each of the last two seasons. It's been since 1985 that the Hoosiers have reached 500 runs in a year. Last year's mark of 482 sits No. 5 in program history.
BREAKING ONTO THE SCENE
Each year under pitching coach Dustin Glant, the Hoosiers have had at least one breakout star on its pitching staff. Last year it was Buhr and former left-handed star Ty Bothwell. With a much deeper rotation and some veteran arms, expect the same to come true in 2025.
Scouting the Opponent
UNLV (0-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
• The Rebels will play Indiana twice on opening weekend, marking the first two meetings between the sides in program history. UNLV finished 26-26 last season and were selected fourth in the preseason Mountain West Baseball poll. They received one first place vote.
• Veteran infielder JP Hefft is UNLV's top returning hitter. He batted .328 last year with 12 doubles, three home runs and 33 RBIs. He joins fellow infielder Chase Ditmar in returning players to start at least 35 games for the Rebels last season.
• UNLV will have to replace staff ace Austin Cates (107 strikeouts in '24) but return junior right-handed pitcher Sam Simon. He is the only returning player to pitch more than 50 (55.2) innings last season. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Carson Lane made nine starts as a freshman.
Xavier (0-0, 0-0 Big East)
• IU will meet longtime regional foe Xavier on opening weekend in Arizona for the first of two meetings this season. The two sides will also play on Feb. 25 in Bloomington. Xavier went 30-27 last season and picked up wins over LSU, Louisville and UConn.
• Junior outfielder Isaac Wacshmann was limited to just 28 games last season but was tabbed as the Preseason Big East Player of the Year by D1 Baseball. He smashed 10 home runs and hit .330 despite missing half of the campaign. Luke Hammond, Connor Misch and Aedan Anderson were all Preseason All-Big East selections by the coaches.
• Xavier has a number of options on the mound including three guys returning from injury. Jake Hooker, Ryan Piech and Jared Gadd all have high-end stuff and could feature early. Luke Hoskins, Logan Schmidt and Nick Boyle were starters last season but could flip into high-leverage bullpen roles for the Musketeers.
• Former IU right-handed pitcher Evan Whiteaker transferred to Xavier after last season. Coming to Bloomington was longtime designated hitter Tyler DeMartino who will play his sixth season of college baseball for the Hoosiers. IU won the last meeting in 2023 (W, 8-6) but Xavier won three of four in a series at Bart Kaufman Field in 2022.
#7 Oregon State (0-0, Independent)
• Perennial power Oregon State will play its first season as an independent team following the latest round of conference realignment last summer. The Beavers have made seven trips to the College World Series and have won three national championships.
• Oregon State is boosted by the transfer addition of former Washington shortstop Aiva Arquette (.325, 12 HR). He joins a lineup with some serious pop in the bat. Junior outfielder Gavin Turley hit 19 home runs last season and recorded 75 RBIs. Junior first baseman Jacob Krieg smashed nine home runs as well.
• Sophomore right-handed pitcher Eric Segura is the lone holdover from last year's weekend rotation. There's no set role for the All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention selection but he had a 6-1 record and held a 4.93 earned average over 69.1 innings as a freshman. Junior left-handed pitcher Nelson Keljo is expected to be the Friday ace.
Inside the Series
UNLV
• These two teams have never met in baseball. IU last played a current member of the Mountain West when it met eventual national champions Fresno State three times in 2008.
Xavier
• Separated by just a couple hours, these two foes are much more familiar. IU holds a 28-6 advantage in the all-time series but the Musketeers have won three of five since head coach Jeff Mercer took over the program in 2019. These two teams will play again on February 25th in Bloomington.
#7 Oregon State
• Despite being separated by over 2,200 miles, IU and Oregon State have met six times since 2011. The Beavers have won all six contests including an elimination game in the College World Series in 2013. The two teams have met once during the Jeff Mercer era at IU. Oregon State won 8-3 on March 9, 2019 in a neutral site game in Seattle. Future big leaguer Tanner Gordon (Rockies) took the loss for the Hoosiers.
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