For the first time since joining the IU baseball program as its new head coach during the summer, Jeff Mercer led the Hoosiers to victory in their first fall scrimmage.
Mercer and the Hoosiers began their 2018 fall season with a pair of scrimmages against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday at Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.
IU won the first scrimmage, 3-2, but lost the second scrimmage, 5-2.
Senior pitcher Pauly Milto started IU’s scrimmage victory and pitched two scoreless innings, and junior pitcher Cam Beauchamp also pitched two scoreless innings after replacing Milto.
IU's first runs came via an RBI triple by senior utility player Matt Lloyd. The scrimmage, which lasted only six innings, featured a winning run from the Hoosiers in the final inning as junior infielder Matt Gorski scored on a wild pitch.
The 5-2 Louisville victory in the second scrimmage also came in six innings.
During the 12 combined innings Saturday, IU drew 16 walks and had no defensive errors.
Four Hoosiers recorded doubles against the Cardinals, with Lloyd and Carter Bridge, a junior college transfer, both recording triples.
IU’s lone stolen base during the scrimmages came courtesy of sophomore outfielder Elijah Dunham.
IU will continue fall season play against Southern Indiana on Oct. 20 at Bosse Field in Evansville, Indiana.
