Ricketts’ Big Day Secures Sunday Victory

Sunday, March 1

Bowling Green, Ky.

2 p.m.

Indiana University

5-7

Western Kentucky

7-6

Indiana

WKU

3/1/2026 6:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In the final game of a four-game set, the Indiana Baseball team (5-7, 0-0 B1G) played a fantastic all-around contest to salvage a series split with Western Kentucky (7-6, 0-0 B1G) at Nick Denes Field. The Hoosiers won 7-3 in the Sunday (March 1) finale as IU's pitching staff held off a potent offensive attack. The win was IU's third true road win of the young season.

Redshirt freshman Brayden Ricketts continued his fantastic stretch of play, launching two home runs in the win over Western Kentucky. His first-inning, three-run blast gave IU an early lead and it never looked back. Ricketts added a solo home run in the eighth inning for good measure. On the weekend, he hit .600 (9-15) with two home runs, seven RBIs, two doubles and four runs.

Senior right-handed pitcher Jackson Bergman offered another fantastic start on Sunday afternoon. He went five innings while allowing just two runs (one earned). All three of IU's main starters worked into at least the fifth inning this weekend. Graduate student southpaw worked a season-best three innings out of the bullpen. Junior right-handed pitcher Jackson Yarberry came on to get the final three outs.

IU's offense struggled with runners in scoring position (3-17) but came through with clutch at-bats when it needed it the most. On top of Ricketts' three run-producing hits, Denny offered up a sacrifice fly. Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian was the only other IU player with a multi-hit day.

The Hoosiers are scheduled to return home this week to Bart Kaufman Field for the first full week of action. Northern Kentucky is set to come to town on Tuesday (March 3) before Washington makes the trek east for the first Big Ten weekend of the year (March 6-8). All four games will be carried on B1G+.

Scoring Recap
Top First
The Hoosiers got straight to work as Brayden Ricketts slugged a three-run home run to right field.
Indiana 3, Western Kentucky 0

Top Third
A fourth run came around to score when Landen Fry grounded into a double play.
Indiana 4, Western Kentucky 0

Bottom Third
A bases loaded walk from Camden Ross scored Western Kentucky's first run of the game.
Indiana 4, Western Kentucky 1

Bottom Fourth
An RBI groundout from Cael Frost trimmed the deficit to two.
Indiana 4, Western Kentucky 2

Top Sixth
Ricketts continued his hot week as he laced a double down the line in left field to score a run. Hogan Denny added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly.
Indiana 6, Western Kentucky 2

Top Eighth
Ricketts hit his second home run of the day, this one off the scoreboard in right field.
Indiana 7, Western Kentucky 2

Bottom Eighth
Daniel Stewart mashed a solo home run to left field.
Indiana 7, Western Kentucky 3

Top Hoosier Performers
#42 Ricketts, Brayden
3-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2B, 2 BB

#43 Bergman, Jackson
5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K

#15 Malamazian, Cooper
2-4, BB

Inside the Box Score
• The Hoosiers walked seven times at the plate compared to just eight strikeouts.
• Brayden Ricketts had five of IU's six RBIs. He also had two of IU's seven walks.
• IU's pitching staff compiled seven strikeouts to three walks.
• Conner Linn pitched a season-high three innings.

Notes to Know
• Redshirt freshman designated hitter Brayden Ricketts launched the first two home runs of his career in the win over Western Kentucky. Ricketts' five-RBI effort was the most runs driven in by any IU player this season. He's also the second IU player (Hogan Denny) with multiple home runs in a game. Ricketts is now on an eight-game hitting streak this season.

• Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley is starting to see the ball well after a slow start to the season. He had another hit in Sunday's win to extend his hitting streak to six games. Hanley is hitting .550 over his last five games with 11 hits in 20 at-bats.

• Graduate student southpaw Conner Linn provided his best outing of the season. He worked three innings of one-run ball in relief of the starter, senior right-handed pitcher Jackson Bergman. In the three games this weekend where IU's main starters opened the game – IU allowed just eight runs. Today's effort was the fifth time in the last seven games that IU's staff has given up four-or-fewer runs.

Up Next
As it stands, IU is set for a midweek contest against Northern Kentucky on Tuesday (March 3) afternoon. That game will be streamed on B1G+ and will be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.