Big Lead Slips Away in Bloomington

Saturday, March 29

Bloomington, Ind.

12:00 PM

Indiana University

15-13, 0

USC

16-11, 0

USC

Indiana

3/29/2025 4:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Despite a nine-run lead heading into the sixth inning, the Indiana Baseball team (15-13, 6-6 B1G) couldn't find a way to close out the series victory. USC scored 10 unanswered runs to snatch the weekend series away from the Hoosiers on Saturday (March 29) afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field.

USC third baseman and pitcher Ethan Hedges had two home runs and five RBIs before recording the final three outs and the save. He had a massive offensive weekend and helped kick start the USC rally with three big hits in three different innings. Center fielder Brayden Dowd struck the final blow with a two-run home run in the ninth to cap off USC's 13-12 comeback victory in Bloomington.

Already without the services of right-handed pitchers Drew Buhr and Jackson Yarberry, IU's bullpen was stretched thin even further when starting pitcher Ben Grable could make it through just three innings. After walking the bases loaded in the sixth, USC struck on IU miscues for four runs and the comeback was on. The Trojans were down to their final two outs before Dowd's home run gave them their first lead since the first inning.

IU's offense put up 12 runs in the first four innings but fell quiet from there. The home team went four full innings without a base hit before freshman designated hitter Hogan Denny got a two-out single in the ninth inning. IU's four home runs – two of which came from redshirt sophomore center fielder Korbyn Dickerson – were not enough on Saturday afternoon.

The defeat hands IU its first home Big Ten series defeat since dropping a three-game set vs. Illinois last season (March 22-24, 2024). The Hoosiers will have to forget about this one in a hurry as top-25 Louisville comes to town on Tuesday (April 1) for a nationally-televised contest on the Big Ten Network (6:00 p.m.)

Scoring Recap
Top First
Ethan Hedges got the scoring starting with a solo home run, his third blast of the weekend.
USC 1, Indiana 0

Bottom First
Devin Taylor quickly tied up the game with a solo shot to left field, his 46th home run in his career. Cooper Malamazian added a second run when he walked on a full count with the bases loaded. Will Moore added a pair of runs with a two-run single up the middle.
Indiana 4, USC 1

Bottom Second
Korbyn Dickerson broke out of his mini-slump with a big two-run blast over the fence in right-center field. It was his 12th home run of the season.
Indiana 6, USC 1

Top Third
Hedges continued his big weekend, bringing a run back for USC with a RBI single up the middle.
Indiana 6, USC 2

Top Fourth
Abbrie Covarrubias smoked a solo home run to cut into the lead.
Indiana 6, USC 3

Bottom Fourth
The Hoosiers broke out for a big inning in the fourth. T.J. Schuyler on a groundball from Andrew Wiggins that resulted in a USC error. Dickerson hit a three-run home run to blow the game open before Tyler Cerny smashed a two-run blast of his own.
Indiana 12, USC 3

Top Sixth
The Trojans got a crooked number of their own in the sixth. With the bases loaded, Brayden Dowd was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Hedges drove one home with a RBI sacrifice fly to center field. Adrian Lopez added to the damage with a two-run double.
Indiana 12, USC 7

Top Seventh
USC got one back on a throwing error from Cerny as he tried to make a force out at second base.
Indiana 12, USC 8

Top Eighth
Hedges hit his second home run of the game to close the gap to just two runs. The Trojans pulled within one when Bryce Grudzielanek laced a single into left field.
Indiana 12, USC 11

Top Ninth
USC took the lead for good on a two-run blast from Dowd.
USC 13, Indiana 12

Top Hoosier Performers
#20 Dickerson, Korbyn
3-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI

#5 Taylor, Devin
2-3, HR, 3 R, RBI

#8 Cerny, Tyler
1-5, HR, 2 RBI

Inside the Box Score
• IU allowed more than 10 hits in all three games of the series.
• The pitching staff allowed eight walks.
• The Hoosiers hit four home runs on the day – including two from Korbyn Dickerson.
• IU allowed 10 runs in the final five innings. IU's offense had one hit in that same stretch.

Notes to Know
• Junior outfielder Devin Taylor hit his 46th career home run with a solo blast in the first inning. He bolsters his firm grasp on fourth place in program history and inches closer to the all-time Indiana home run record. He's now one away from tying the all-time mark and two from taking full control of the crown.

• Taylor's multi-hit day took him to 191 for his career. He just needs nine base knocks to become the 25th player in program history with 200 base hits. His junior counterpart Tyler Cerny is nearing the same milestone and isn't far behind with 173 career base hits.

• Redshirt sophomore outfielder Korbyn Dickerson had two home runs in the defeat to USC. He's the only IU player with multiple multi-home run contests this season. He also had his team leading 15th multi-hit game of the year. This was the third game this season in which Dickerson has had at least five RBIs.

Up Next
Louisville comes to town on Tuesday (April 1) for a midweek matchup at Bart Kaufman Field. The Big Ten Network will carry the game at 6:00 p.m. It can also be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.