Sunday Series Defeat

Sunday, May 3

Evanston, Ill.

2 p.m.

Indiana University

21-27, 7-17

Northwestern

19-25-1, 7-17

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Indiana	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	6	6	1
Northwestern	1	5	0	1	0	0	1	1	X	9	12	3

5/3/2026 6:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

EVANSTON, Ill. – A frustrating afternoon saw the Indiana Baseball team (21-27, 7-17 B1G) drop a road series to Northwestern (19-25-1, 7-17 B1G) at Rocky and Bernice Miller Park. The Wildcats scored five in the bottom of the second inning to finish off an 8-6 win over IU on Sunday (May 3) in Evanston. The loss drops the Hoosiers at least two games back of the cut line for this year's Big Ten Tournament.

Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny tried to set the tone by leading off the game with a solo home run over the wall in left field. He finished the series with nine hits and multi-hit efforts in all three games of the weekend. Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley had a two-run home run and an RBI double but IU didn't get much support beyond the top two players in the order.

IU's pitching staff tried to keep it together but couldn't overcome a pair of multi-run home runs in the second inning. Northwestern's Jack Lausch (three-run) and Noah Ruiz (two-run) each went yard off of IU's best reliever Gavin Seebold to break things open in the second frame. Late solo home runs helped the Wildcats add insurance runs to the board.

An extra window opened for head coach Jeff Mercer and the Hoosiers in the eighth inning. After a trio of walks and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded trimmed the deficit to four runs with no outs. A double play from Denny and a groundout from sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian kept IU from inching any closer in the contest.

The Sunday loss to Northwestern makes each of IU's last two weekends (at Purdue, vs. Illinois) must-win scenarios. IU will get the week off due to final exams before resuming conference play on Friday (May 8) evening in West Lafayette at Alexander Field. First pitch next week is set for 6 p.m. on B1G+.

Scoring Recap
Top First
Hogan Denny led the game off with a solo home run.
Indiana 1, Northwestern 0

Bottom First
Jay Slater singled through the right side to tie the game.
Indiana 1, Northwestern 1

Bottom Second
Jack Lausch launched a three-run home run to take the lead. Noah Ruiz hit a home run to left field to extend the advantage.
Northwestern 6, Indiana 1

Top Third
Jake Hanley hit a two-run home run to chip away at the lead.
Northwestern 6, Indiana 3

Bottom Fourth
The home team added a run on a sacrifice fly from Slater.
Northwestern 7, Indiana 3

Bottom Seventh
Owen McElfatrick hit a solo home run to left field.
Northwestern 8, Indiana 3

Top Eighth
Ayden Crouse was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score a run. Cal Gates came around to score on a double play from Denny. An RBI double from Hanley got the Hoosiers within two runs.
Northwestern 8, Indiana 6

Bottom Eighth
Nick Barron hit a solo home run to left field.
Northwestern 9, Indiana 6

Top Hoosier Performers
#34 Hanley, Jake
2-4, 2B, 3 RBI

#2 Denny, Hogan
2-5, HR, RBI, 2 R

#16 Gubitosi, Anthony
2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 K

Notes to Know
• Graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold fought through a tough day to put up a career high eight strikeouts. He ate four innings in relief while throwing 99 pitches for the Hoosiers. It is his fifth game of the season with at least five strikeouts.

• Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley and sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny continue to go back-and-forth with the team lead in home runs. Each player hit their 13th home run of the season in the opening three innings of Sunday's contest in Evanston. Hanley moves into a tie for 22nd in program history (Cole Barr – 27) in career home runs.

Up Next
The Hoosiers will get the week off for final exams. Big Ten play resumes next Friday (May 8) at Purdue. First pitch comes at 6 p.m. ET on B1G+ and the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.