Hoosiers Beat Spartan Shift, Take Series Opener

Sunday, April 6

Bloomington, Ind.

1:00 PM

Indiana University

16-14, 0

Michigan State

17-11, 0

Michigan State

Indiana

Hoosiers Beat Spartan Shift, Take Series Opener

4/6/2025 5:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Junior outfielder Devin Taylor described it as "death by one thousand paper cuts."

On a day where the wind was blowing in, against one of the Big Ten's premier arms, the Indiana Baseball team (16-14, 7-6 B1G) took advantage of what the visitors gave them. The Hoosiers racked up 12 hits (11 singles) in a 6-4 win over Michigan State on Sunday (April 6) afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field.

IU's offense found a way to chop hits through the Michigan State defensive shift, eventually piecing together six runs on 12 hits. Michigan State's Joseph Dzierwa, who entered the weekend only allowing six earned runs on the season, allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in just five innings. The Hoosiers took the lead in the fourth inning on a two-run single from Taylor and never relinquished it.

Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold (W, 2-3) gave IU a fantastic start, tossing five innings and allowing just two earned runs. Senior southpaw Ryan Kraft and redshirt senior closer Jacob Vogel (SV, 1) combined on the final 12 outs to put the home team back in the win column.

Three different freshmen (Jake Hanley, Cooper Malamazian and Will Moore) provided multi-hit days for the Hoosiers. True freshmen combined for seven of the 12 IU hits and played fantastic defense behind IU's stellar pitching performance.

IU will go for both the series win and the sweep in tomorrow's (April 7) doubleheader with the Spartans. The Hoosiers will have a host of arms left to throw tomorrow including graduate students Ben Grable and Cole Gilley. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jackson Yarberry is expected to be available for the first time in over a month.

Scoring Recap
Top First
Caleb Berry took advantage of a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch. With a runner on second, he singled home the first run of the ballgame.
Michigan State 1, Indiana 0

Bottom First
IU quickly responded with a run of its own. Devin Taylor singled and advanced to second before Tyler Cerny drove him home with a RBI single.
Michigan State 1, Indiana 1

Top Third
Sam Busch dropped a jam shot single into right field to score J.T. Sokolove from second base.
Michigan State 2, Indiana 1

Bottom Third
Jake Hanley came through in the clutch. Will Moore – who stayed on base via an error – scored an unearned run to tie the game.
Indiana 2, Michigan State 2

Bottom Fourth
IU took the lead for good in the fourth and never gave it back. Taylor took advantage of the shift with a two-run single through the left side.
Indiana 4, Michigan State 2

Bottom Fifth
Cerny took advantage of the pitcher not paying attention with a steal of home.
Indiana 5, Michigan State 2

Bottom Sixth
The Hoosiers added insurance in the sixth inning with a RBI single through the right side from Korbyn Dickerson.
Indiana 6, Michigan State 2

Top Seventh
Michigan State got one back on a throwing error from the catcher.
Indiana 6, Michigan State 3

Top Ninth
Pinch hitter Noah Bright added a RBI double to the tally but Michigan State was held in check from there. Jacob Vogel got a flyout to end the game.
Indiana 6, Michigan State 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#5 Taylor, Devin
3-4, R, 2 RBI, BB

#34 Hanley, Jake
2-4, RBI

#40 Seebold, Gavin
5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 K

Inside the Box Score
• 11 of IU's 12 hits were singles. Cooper Malamazian had the only extra-base hit.
• IU's pitching staff walked just two batters.
• Four different players had multi-hit days for IU.

Notes to Know
• Junior outfielder Devin Taylor recorded three base hits, taking his career tally to 194. He needs just six more to become the 25th member of the 200-hit club in program history. Taylor also needs just two RBIs to become the 20th player with 150 RBIs in IU history.

• Senior southpaw Ryan Kraft worked two effective innings and kept himself up for a potential inning or two in Monday's doubleheader. He made the 73rd appearance of his IU career. He is just three away from passing Chris Wilson (75 – 1997-00) for fifth all-time in program history in pitching appearances.

• IU recorded 12 hits with 11 of them being singles in the 6-4 win over Michigan State. The only extra-base hit was a double from freshman shortstop Cooper Malamazian. It was the first time IU has gotten to double-digit hits with just one extra-base knock since a win over Stetson (1 – Feb. 28, 2025).

• The Hoosiers are now 11-1 this season when its opponent scores four-or-fewer runs. The lone defeat came in a 4-2 setback to UNLV on Opening Day. Last Saturday was a blip on the radar in what has been an effect stretch of form for IU's pitching staff. Over the past 10 games, IU has maintained a 4.92 team ERA.

Up Next
A rare Monday doubleheader awaits IU as it goes for both the series victory and the sweep against Michigan State. First pitch in the opening game will be at Noon ET. The second game will start 45 minutes after the first ends. It will be streamed on B1G+ and can also be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.