Hoosiers Drop Friday Pitcher’s Duel

Friday, April 25

Iowa City, Iowa

7:02 PM

Indiana University

Iowa

4/25/2025 11:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

IOWA CITY, Iowa. – The Indiana Baseball team (23-19, 12-10 B1G) got all it could ask for from its pitching staff on Friday (April 25) evening at Banks Field. Four pitchers – led by redshirt senior Gavin Seebold – combined to throw 9.1 innings of two-run baseball. The Hoosiers' staff struck out 10 batters and scattered just three extra-base hits.

But as has been the case often this season, it was the timely hit that avoided the visitors in a 2-1 (F/10) defeat to Big Ten-leading Iowa on Friday night. The Hoosiers stranded 13 runners on base and scored just once, a first-inning RBI single from junior second baseman Tyler Cerny. IU managed just four hits – all singles – on the night.

After Seebold pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth inning, IU felt like it had a chance to strike in the tenth. With two runners on, freshman designated hitter Hogan Denny smoked a ball 110 miles per hour off the bat. But on a cold and windy night, the ball hung in the air and landed in the glove of the left fielder. Freshman outfielder Caleb Koskie flew out on the next pitch to strand a golden opportunity.

Iowa got runners on in the tenth via a walk and a single into right field. First baseman Blake Guerin called game with a RBI bunt single to the right side. IU never had a chance to make the play and the hosts picked up their 29th win of the season. The Hawkeyes never led the entire way.

Seebold (L, 3-5) was tagged with the loss but provided one of the gutsiest pitching performances of the season. He matched a career high with seven strikeouts and tossed 82 pitches in relief. He recorded 13 crucial outs but it wasn't enough in the end. IU's bullpen got 23 outs while allowing just two runs.

The Hoosiers will look to even the series tomorrow in Iowa City with veteran ace Cole Gilley on the bump. IU's bats will hope to bounce back in what is expected to be a warmer day at the ballpark. First pitch is set for 3:02 p.m. ET/2:02 p.m. CT at Banks Field.

Scoring Recap
Top First
The Hoosiers struck first for their only run of the game. Tyler Cerny ripped an RBI single into center field in what ended up as the lone score for the visitors.
Indiana 1, Iowa 0

Bottom Sixth
Daniel Rogers evened the scoring with a massive solo home run to right field.
Indiana 1, Iowa 1

Bottom Tenth
IU lost its third extra-innings game of the season when Tyler Guerin laid down a game-winning sacrifice bunt.
Iowa 2, Indiana 1

Top Hoosier Performers
#12 Denny, Hogan
1-2, 3 BB

#29 Kraft, Ryan
3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 K

#40 Seebold, Gavin
4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 7 K

Inside the Box Score
• IU's offense managed just four hits – all singles.
• The Hoosiers' pitching staff had 10 strikeouts and allowed just three extra-base hits.
• Both teams combined to leave 25 runners on base.

Notes to Know
• Senior pitcher Gavin Seebold matched a career high with seven strikeouts on Friday in Iowa. The veteran came in and delivered 4.1 fantastic innings of relief. He pitched three-straight scoreless innings – including one in the bottom of the ninth – to force extra innings. It was by far his best outing of the season against one of the Big Ten's best offenses.

• IU dropped to 1-3 in extra-inning games this season, having lost all three games that went to extra innings away from Bart Kaufman Field. It's the first walk-off loss that the Hoosiers have faced since giving up a three-run home run in the bottom of the tenth at Nebraska last season (May 11, 2024).

• It is the first loss that IU has taken while giving up two-or-fewer runs since – ironically – a 2-1 defeat to Iowa at Banks Field three seasons ago (May 21, 2022). That game also saw the Hoosiers strand double-digit runners on the bases in a tight defeat.

• Senior lefty Ryan Kraft continues to be rock solid out of the bullpen for the Hoosiers. He tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in relief. Over his last six outings, Kraft has allowed just two earned runs. He's been responsible for keeping the game in check on each of the last three Fridays. IU has allowed just 11 runs in the past three series-opening contests.

Up Next
The Hoosiers will look to even the series tomorrow afternoon in Iowa City (April 26). All the games this weekend will be broadcasted on B1G+. The series with Iowa can also be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.