In a 10-4 win over Xavier University at Hayden Field in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Indiana baseball did not have to rely on one bat. Eight starters reached base as the Hoosiers totaled 15 hits and showcased the lineup depth that has fueled their strong start at the plate.
Four players recorded multi-hit performances. Five different hitters drove in at least one run. Indiana drew seven walks, was hit by two pitches and consistently pressured Xavier’s pitching staff from the middle innings on.
After being held scoreless through three innings, Indiana broke through in the fourth. Redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts was hit by a pitch to start the rally, and sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny followed with a walk. Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian singled to load the bases before sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley tied the game with an RBI single to left field. Freshman infielder Landen Fry then added a run-scoring groundout to give Indiana the lead.
Fry’s RBI groundout added to an impressive start to his freshman campaign. With Wednesday’s performance, his average sits at .400, quickly emerging as one of Indiana’s most reliable early-season bats.
After its fourth inning outburst, Indiana’s offense did not slow down.
The Hoosiers added three more runs in the fifth inning, again manufacturing traffic before delivering key swings. Denny worked a leadoff walk, and Hanley followed with an RBI double to right field. Freshman outfielder Cal Gates dropped down a bunt single to keep pressure on Xavier’s defense, and sophomore outfielder Cole Decker added an RBI single to left. Sophomore infielder Will Moore capped the inning with a bases-loaded walk, extending the lead to 7-2.
Indiana’s momentum carried into the sixth. Malamazian lined a double into the corner and scored moments later on Hanley’s third hit of the afternoon, adding another insurance run to an already comfortable Indiana lead.
Even after Xavier answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, Indiana responded again in the seventh. Redshirt junior outfielder Ayden Crouse singled and stole second before Moore delivered the loudest swing of the day, crushing a two-run home run to left field that provided the final separation.
While the offense supplied the cushion, Indiana’s pitching staff ensured it held, a trend that has not been in favor of the Hoosiers to start the year blowing leads over the weekend to Luisiana state university and Notre Dame University.
The Hoosiers turned to seven pitchers Wednesday, managing workloads while navigating the early portion of a demanding stretch.
Freshman right-hand pitcher Ivan Mastalski allowed one run early before redshirt junior right-hand pitcher Jacob Vogel and freshman right-hand pitcher Xaiver Carrera stabilized the early frames. Graduate left-hand pitcher Conner Linn worked two innings, and freshman right-hand pitcher Kellen English struck out three in his sixth inning appearance despite surrendering two runs.
Graduate right-hand pitcher Michael Sarhatt delivered a clean seventh inning with two strikeouts, and graduate right-hand pitcher Gavin Seebold closed the final two innings scoreless. Seebold allowed two hits but stranded both runners and finished the game without further damage.
Seebold has yet to allow a run this season, continuing to provide steady relief at the back end of the bullpen where Indiana has struggled most.
With four games scheduled over the weekend, Indiana needs to stretch its pitching depth and distribute innings across multiple arms.
If Indiana can replicate that balance of consistent offense and steady relief, it may begin to turn early-season promise into sustained results.
Indiana continues its road swing this weekend with a four-game series at Western Kentucky. The set begins at 4 p.m. Friday followed by a Saturday doubleheader and concludes with a matchup at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Follow reporters Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) and Will Kwiatkowski (@WKwiatkowski_15 and wdkwiatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana baseball season.
