Mercer Picks Up Win No. 200 as Indiana Head Coach

Friday, May 2

Abilene, Texas

7:05 PM

Indiana University

25-21

Abilene Christian

27-16

Indiana

Abilene Christian

Mercer Picks Up Win No. 200 as Indiana Head Coach

5/2/2025 11:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

ABILENE, Texas. – Timely two-run hits from a trio of Hoosiers helped the Indiana Baseball team (25-21, 12-12 B1G) to a commanding Friday (May 2) night victory in Texas. IU took the lead in the second inning and never trailed as it finished off an 8-4 victory over Abilene Christian at Bullock Brothers Ballpark.

Redshirt senior catcher Jake Stadler and freshman outfielder Hogan Denny each had two-run home runs while freshman first baseman Jake Hanley worked a two-out, two-run double to help the Hoosiers put up crooked numbers in the second and sixth innings. Seven different Hoosiers had a hit in the ballgame.

Senior southpaw Ryan Kraft (W, 2-1) and graduate student right-handed pitcher Cole Gilley (SV, 1) combined to throw all nine innings. Outside of two pitches, Kraft was outstanding in six innings of work. He matched a career high with seven strikeouts and didn't allow a single walk in the ballgame. Gilley finished off the final nine outs with four strikeouts and just one hit.

IU took advantage of eight free passes from the Abilene Christian pitching staff. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Korbyn Dickerson reached twice on a pair of walks while freshman shortstop Cooper Malamazian was on due to a walk and hit-by-pitch. The Hoosiers scored six runs with two outs on the night.

Head coach Jeff Mercer – who is also now 3-0 while coaching third base this year – recorded the 200th win of his IU career. After taking over the program before the 2019 season, he has continued to build a tradition of winning in Bloomington. He's the fourth coach in IU history to reach 200 wins.

The Hoosiers will go for the series win tomorrow afternoon in Texas. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET/3:05 p.m. CT against the Wildcats.

Scoring Recap
Top Second
IU got on the board early with some clutch hitting from the bottom of the order. Joey Brenczewski had a RBI groundout before Jake Stadler launched a two-run home run.
Indiana 3, Abilene Christian 0

Bottom Second
The home team cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning. Brady Gray got a ball into the jet stream that left the park for a two-run home run.
Indiana 3, Abilene Christian 2

Top Third
Andrew Wiggins worked a double down the line past the glove of the first baseman to score Cooper Malamazian and extend the lead.
Indiana 4, Abilene Christian 2

Top Sixth
Jake Hanley perfectly placed a double down the left field line to score a pair of runs. Hogan Denny did more damage with a massive two-run blast.
Indiana 8, Abilene Christian 2

Bottom Sixth
Sam Hardcastle answered for ACU in the home half with a two-run home run.
Indiana 8, Abilene Christian 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#29 Kraft, Ryan
6.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 7 K

#9 Stadler, Jake
1-4, HR, 2 RBI

#12 Denny, Hogan
1-5, HR, 2 RBI

Inside the Box Score
• The Hoosiers had seven hits by seven different players.
• IU used two pitchers to complete the nine innings – allowing just four hits.
• Friday's game lasted just two hours and 35 minutes.
• Cole Gilley and Ryan Kraft combined on 11 strikeouts.

Notes to Know
• Senior left-handed pitcher Ryan Kraft matched a career high with seven strikeouts on Friday evening. He also moved into the top-20 in program history in strikeouts with his 185th career punchout in the sixth inning. Kraft threw at least six innings for the first time since 2023.

• Head coach Jeff Mercer won his 200th career game with Indiana on Friday night. He became the fourth coach in program history to reach the 200-win threshold and is the fastest do so since the 1980's (Bob Morgan). Mercer completed the task in under seven full seasons.

• The Hoosiers – behind long balls from freshman outfielder Hogan Denny and redshirt senior catcher Jake Stadler – hit their 75th and 76th home runs of the season. It's the seventh best team tally in program history. IU needs just four more to reach 80 home runs in a year for the sixth time in program history.

Up Next
The Hoosiers will look to win the series over the Wildcats in tomorrow's (May 3) middle game in Texas. The series with Abilene Christian can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.