After failing to score a run in the afternoon loss against Oregon State on Friday, IU poured on the runs against Gonzaga in the evening and defeated the Bulldogs 12-3, in Surprise, Arizona.
After three full scoreless innings, the second half of the opening day double-header appeared to be headed in the same direction as the first — a pitcher’s duel.
But once junior outfielder Logan Sowers knocked in junior Laren Eustace from third with an RBI single, the floodgates opened, and the Hoosiers scored in five of the final six innings.
After recording four hits against Oregon State earlier in the day, IU racked up 14 against Gonzaga.
Highlighting the offensive onslaught by the Hoosiers was freshman catcher Jake Matheny, who in his first career game hit two home runs with four RBIs.
Eustace added to his success from the first game, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a triple against Gonzaga. The outfielder’s totals for Friday were 2-for-6 with three singles, a triple, an RBI and three stolen bases.
Sophomore catcher Ryan Fineman went 3-for-4 with one RBI in the day's second game, and junior infielder Matt Lloyd went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs after striking out four times against Oregon State.
Sophomore pitcher Tim Herrin pitched 5.0 innings in his first start as a Hoosier and allowed seven hits and one unearned run.
After Herrin, junior pitcher Austin Foote and freshmen pitchers Cameron Beauchamp and Cal Krueger finished out the remaining four innings of work.
IU committed two errors against Gonzaga, bringing its total to four on the day.
The Hoosiers will carry an early 1-1 record into the second half of the season-opening weekend.
Due to rain in the forecast for Saturday in Arizona, IU will not play until Sunday when it faces off against Gonzaga again at 3:30 p.m.
Taylor Lehman
