Hoosiers Handle Business Behind Gilley Brilliance

Saturday, April 12

Champaign, Ill.

4:00 PM

Indiana University

20-15, 0

Illinois

19-13, 0

Indiana

Illinois

Hoosiers Handle Business Behind Gilley Brilliance

4/12/2025 8:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Mission accomplished on Saturday (April 12) afternoon at Illinois Stadium.

The Indiana Baseball team (20-15, 10-7 B1G) called on its two best arms to cover nine innings and the veteran duo delivered. Righties Ben Grable and Cole Gilley (W, 7-1) combined to allow just three runs and seven hits while finishing off a commanding 12-3 win over Illinois.

Gilley was especially brilliant, covering the last 16 outs of the game while only giving up one run. He faced the minimum through his first five frames, erasing a sixth-inning walk with a big double play ball. The Columbus, Indiana native didn't allow his first hit of the game until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

The tandem of Grable and Gilley not only covered Saturday's game but now sets up IU's pitching staff for an important rubber match on Sunday (April 13) in Champaign. IU will still have the services of righties Gavin Seebold and Aydan Decker-Petty along with southpaw Grant Holderfield.

After a slow offensive night in the series opener, IU's bats quickly turned it around on Saturday. Freshmen outfielders Hogan Denny and Caleb Koskie each had their first career three-hit days while junior outfielder Devin Taylor had a multi-hit game at the top of the order.

IU started five true freshmen for the second time this season. They provided seven hits, nine runs and seven RBIs while taking advantage of five walks and four hit-by-pitches. Third baseman Will Moore finished the day 0-1 at the plate but reached safely four times with two walks and two hit-by-pitches.

The Hoosiers now get the chance to go for a massive road series win in Sunday's (April 13) rubber match. They are also looking to be the first team to win a series at Illinois Stadium since, well, IU did so in 2023 (April 14-15). First pitch in tomorrow's contest is slated for 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT.

Scoring Recap
Top Second
The visitors got the scoring going with a big, crooked number in the second inning. Hogan Denny was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the game's first run. Devin Taylor added to the lead with a two-run single through the left side. Korbyn Dickerson drove in another on a sacrifice fly before Jake Hanley finished off the frame with a RBI single.
Indiana 5, Illinois 0

Bottom Second
Kyle Schupmann slugged a solo home run to get Illinois on the board.
Indiana 5, Illinois 1

Bottom Fourth
Schupmann did more damage in the fourth with a RBI single through the left side. IU reliever Cole Gilley came out of the bullpen to escape the jam and limit the threat.
Indiana 5, Illinois 2

Top Fifth
IU's second crooked number of the game helped put the Saturday contest out of reach. Caleb Koskie smoked a ball down the third base line for a two-run double. Denny doubled off the wall in right-center field before Dickerson drilled a ball up the middle to bring Koskie around to score.
Indiana 9, Illinois 2

Top Seventh
Denny continued his stellar day with a solo blast over the fence in left field.
Indiana 10, Illinois 2

Top Eighth
Koskie added another RBI to his tally with his second double of the game.
Indiana 11, Illinois 2

Top Ninth
In a pinch hit opportunity, Jasen Oliver put a ball through the right side to score Taylor from second.
Indiana 12, Illinois 2

Bottom Ninth
The Fighting Illini finally got a hit off of Gilley with a solo home run from Cal Jennings.
Indiana 12, Illinois 3

Top Hoosier Performers
#12 Denny, Hogan
3-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR

#43 Koskie, Caleb
3-5, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 2B

#32 Gilley, Cole
5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 7 K

Inside the Box Score
• The Hoosiers scored 12 runs on 11 hits.
• IU took advantage of five hit-by-pitches and seven walks from Illinois' pitching staff.
• Ben Grable and Cole Gilley combined for 11 strikeouts and just two walks.
• IU's freshmen scored nine of the team's 12 runs.

Notes to Know
• Graduate student pitcher Cole Gilley was simply fantastic for the Hoosiers once again. He picked up his seventh win of the season after tossing 5.1 innings of one-run baseball. IU has now won seven-consecutive games that Gilley has pitched in. He faced 15-straight batters before finally conceding a hit in Saturday's win.

• IU's freshmen have been phenomenal but two stepped up in particular on Saturday. Outfielder Caleb Koskie and designated hitter Hogan Denny each recorded the first three-hit days of their young careers. They combined for six RBIs and scored five of IU's 12 runs.

• Freshman third baseman Will Moore extended his reached base streak to 11-consecutive games. He reached base on four occasions but never recorded a hit. The Canadian was hit by two pitches and also worked a pair of four-pitch walks. On the season he has nearly as many walks (20) as he does hits (23).

• Over the last three seasons, IU is now 4-0 against Illinois on Saturday games. The Hoosiers swept a doubleheader in Champaign in 2023 before Connor Foley dealt a seven-inning gem in a commanding 8-1 victory at Bart Kaufman Field in 2024.

• The Hoosiers are now set to play their fourth rubber match of the season in Big Ten play. Entering the weekend, IU was 0-3 in series deciding games – the last being a 13-12 defeat at the hands of USC. IU last won a rubber match on the road when it beat Purdue in May of 2024 with a Sunday comeback victory in West Lafayette.

Up Next
IU finishes the weekend with a Sunday rubber match in Champaign. The final game of the weekend will be streamed on B1G+ and can also be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.