Indiana University Athletics
Friday, May 8
West Lafayette, Ind.
6 p.m.
Indiana University
21-28, 7-18
9
at
11
Purdue
33-15, 16-9
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 11 | 1 |
| Purdue | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | X | 11 | 11 | 2 |
Hoosiers Let Late Lead Escape
5/8/2026 11:30:00 PM | Baseball
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A story that has been told too many times this year was relived again on Friday (May 8) evening at Alexander Field. The Indiana Baseball team (21-28, 7-18) let a seven-run advantage escape its grasp enroute to a 11-9 loss to Purdue (33-15, 16-9) in the opening game of a three-game series in West Lafayette. The Hoosiers were outscored 9-1 from the fifth inning on in the loss.
A massive fourth inning had IU riding a wave of confidence on the home field of its biggest rival. Redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts and sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie each made a return to the lineup with a three-run home run and a two-run single respectively. Their five combined RBIs in the fourth frame gave IU and starting pitcher Tony Neubeck an eight-run cushion on the road.
Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley provided insurance in the sixth inning in the form of an RBI single to take a 9-2 lead. Neubeck, who recorded his sixth quality start in conference play, hung five zeros in six spectacular innings. He racked up eight strikeouts and walked just two batters while dropping his ERA below 4.00 on the season.
Head coach Jeff Mercer went to the bullpen in the seventh inning but that's where things got away from the Hoosiers. Veteran relievers Jackson Yarberry and Gavin Seebold (L, 2-4) gave up nine runs in less than two innings. Purdue took the lead for the first time all night on a two-run blast from Sam Flores in the eighth inning. IU was retired in order in the final frame as the Boilermakers completed the all-time comeback.
The loss was a gut punch for IU as it falls three games back of the Big Ten Tournament cut line with five to play. It will turn the ball to sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas to try and even the series on Saturday (May 9) afternoon. First pitch on a fantastic day for baseball is set for 2 p.m. from West Lafayette.
Scoring Recap
Top First
IU took advantage of some early miscues. Owen ten Oever launched a double into the gap to score Hogan Denny and Jake Hanley.
Indiana 2, Purdue 0
Top Fourth
A big inning came with two outs as IU batted around the order. Landen Fry singled up the middle to score Cooper Malamazian and keep the frame moving. Brayden Ricketts hit a three-run, pinch hit home run to take a six-run lead. Caleb Koskie added a pair of runs on a single through the right side.
Indiana 8, Purdue 0
Bottom Fourth
Zach Zychowski kept Purdue in the game with a two-run single up the middle.
Indiana 8, Purdue 2
Top Sixth
Jake Hanley added temporary insurance with an RBI single past the shift on the left side.
Indiana 9, Purdue 2
Bottom Seventh
Zychowski did more damage with a triple to dead center to score Westin Boyle. Eli Anderson added a run on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Indiana 9, Purdue 4
Top Ninth
Purdue came out swinging in the eighth to take the lead. CJ Richmond doubled to left field to score a pair of runs. Anderson added one on an RBI groundout. Brandon Rogers pinch hit and recorded a two-run single. The two-run home run from Sam Flores gave the Boilermakers their first lead of the night.
Purdue 11, Indiana 9
Top Hoosier Performers
#34 Hanley, Jake
2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
#42 Ricketts, Brayden
1-1, HR, 3 RBI
#29 Neubeck, Tony
6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Inside the Box Score
• Three different players had multi-hit efforts for the Hoosiers.
• IU's pitching staff worked 11 strikeouts to just three walks.
• Hogan Denny scored twice without recording a hit or a walk.
Notes to Know
• Graduate student left-handed pitcher Tony Neubeck provided his sixth quality start in Big Ten play this season. He provided five zeros on the scoreboard over six sparking innings. Since the beginning of April, the southpaw has racked up 36 strikeouts in just six starts. He has three outings with at least eight punchouts this year.
• Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley recorded his sixth-straight multi-hit game. At the time, his sixth-inning RBI single provided insurance runs for the Hoosiers. He now has 15 multi-hit games in 25 Big Ten outings this season. Hanley is hitting .563 in the month of May so far (9-16).
• Redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts hit a pinch hit, three-run home run to left field in the fourth inning of Friday's game. Since the beginning of 2025, it's the fourth time an IU player has hit a pinch hit, three-run home run. Freshman designated Owen ten Oever did it against Nebraska (March 28th, 2026). Former IU switch hitter Joey Brenczewski did it twice in last year against UNLV (Feb. 17, 2025) and Abilene Christian (May 4, 2025).
Up Next
The Hoosiers will look to even the series tomorrow (May 9) against Iowa. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and will be available on B1G+ and online via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.
A massive fourth inning had IU riding a wave of confidence on the home field of its biggest rival. Redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts and sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie each made a return to the lineup with a three-run home run and a two-run single respectively. Their five combined RBIs in the fourth frame gave IU and starting pitcher Tony Neubeck an eight-run cushion on the road.
Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley provided insurance in the sixth inning in the form of an RBI single to take a 9-2 lead. Neubeck, who recorded his sixth quality start in conference play, hung five zeros in six spectacular innings. He racked up eight strikeouts and walked just two batters while dropping his ERA below 4.00 on the season.
Head coach Jeff Mercer went to the bullpen in the seventh inning but that's where things got away from the Hoosiers. Veteran relievers Jackson Yarberry and Gavin Seebold (L, 2-4) gave up nine runs in less than two innings. Purdue took the lead for the first time all night on a two-run blast from Sam Flores in the eighth inning. IU was retired in order in the final frame as the Boilermakers completed the all-time comeback.
The loss was a gut punch for IU as it falls three games back of the Big Ten Tournament cut line with five to play. It will turn the ball to sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas to try and even the series on Saturday (May 9) afternoon. First pitch on a fantastic day for baseball is set for 2 p.m. from West Lafayette.
Scoring Recap
Top First
IU took advantage of some early miscues. Owen ten Oever launched a double into the gap to score Hogan Denny and Jake Hanley.
Indiana 2, Purdue 0
Top Fourth
A big inning came with two outs as IU batted around the order. Landen Fry singled up the middle to score Cooper Malamazian and keep the frame moving. Brayden Ricketts hit a three-run, pinch hit home run to take a six-run lead. Caleb Koskie added a pair of runs on a single through the right side.
Indiana 8, Purdue 0
Bottom Fourth
Zach Zychowski kept Purdue in the game with a two-run single up the middle.
Indiana 8, Purdue 2
Top Sixth
Jake Hanley added temporary insurance with an RBI single past the shift on the left side.
Indiana 9, Purdue 2
Bottom Seventh
Zychowski did more damage with a triple to dead center to score Westin Boyle. Eli Anderson added a run on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Indiana 9, Purdue 4
Top Ninth
Purdue came out swinging in the eighth to take the lead. CJ Richmond doubled to left field to score a pair of runs. Anderson added one on an RBI groundout. Brandon Rogers pinch hit and recorded a two-run single. The two-run home run from Sam Flores gave the Boilermakers their first lead of the night.
Purdue 11, Indiana 9
Top Hoosier Performers
#34 Hanley, Jake
2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
#42 Ricketts, Brayden
1-1, HR, 3 RBI
#29 Neubeck, Tony
6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Inside the Box Score
• Three different players had multi-hit efforts for the Hoosiers.
• IU's pitching staff worked 11 strikeouts to just three walks.
• Hogan Denny scored twice without recording a hit or a walk.
Notes to Know
• Graduate student left-handed pitcher Tony Neubeck provided his sixth quality start in Big Ten play this season. He provided five zeros on the scoreboard over six sparking innings. Since the beginning of April, the southpaw has racked up 36 strikeouts in just six starts. He has three outings with at least eight punchouts this year.
• Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley recorded his sixth-straight multi-hit game. At the time, his sixth-inning RBI single provided insurance runs for the Hoosiers. He now has 15 multi-hit games in 25 Big Ten outings this season. Hanley is hitting .563 in the month of May so far (9-16).
• Redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts hit a pinch hit, three-run home run to left field in the fourth inning of Friday's game. Since the beginning of 2025, it's the fourth time an IU player has hit a pinch hit, three-run home run. Freshman designated Owen ten Oever did it against Nebraska (March 28th, 2026). Former IU switch hitter Joey Brenczewski did it twice in last year against UNLV (Feb. 17, 2025) and Abilene Christian (May 4, 2025).
Up Next
The Hoosiers will look to even the series tomorrow (May 9) against Iowa. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and will be available on B1G+ and online via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: KOLLEN, Graham (1-0)
L: Seebold, Gavin (2-4)
S: KRAMER, Jake (8)
Batting:
2B: Hanley, Jake 1 ; ten Oever, Owen 1 ; Malamazian, Cooper 1
HR: Ricketts, Brayden 1
RBI: Hanley, Jake 1 ; Koskie, Caleb 2 ; ten Oever, Owen 2 ; Fry, Landen 1 ; Ricketts, Brayden 3
SH: Koskie, Caleb 1 ; Gates, Cal 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Denny, Hogan 2 ; Hanley, Jake 2 ; Malamazian, Cooper 1 ; Fry, Landen 1 ; Moore, Will 2 ; Ricketts, Brayden 1
CS: Decker, Cole 1 ; Moore, Will 1
HBP: Denny, Hogan 1 ; Moore, Will 1
Batting:
2B: MANIAS, Aaron 1 ; RICHMOND, CJ 1
3B: ZYCHOWSKI, Zach 1
HR: FLORES, Sam 1
RBI: ANDERSON, Eli 2 ; ROGERS, Brandon 2 ; FLORES, Sam 2 ; RICHMOND, CJ 2 ; ZYCHOWSKI, Zach 3
SF: ANDERSON, Eli 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ROGERS, Brandon 1 ; FLORES, Sam 1 ; MOORE, Avery 2 ; MANIAS, Aaron 1 ; BESSETTE, Jackson 1 ; RICHMOND, CJ 1 ; BOYLE, Westin 2 ; ZYCHOWSKI, Zach 2
HBP: BOYLE, Westin 1
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