Hogan Denny had been on a tear over Indiana baseball’s last nine games.
Heading into Tuesday, Denny went 14 for 34 with four home runs and eight RBIs to anchor the Hoosiers in their most productive offensive stretch, but he took it to a different level in Indiana’s win Tuesday.
The sophomore outfielder went 4 for 5 with seven RBIs in the Hoosiers’ 20-10 win over Ball State University on Tuesday afternoon at Shebek Stadium in Muncie.
Denny’s performance helped Indiana build a commanding lead over Ball State.
He drove in his first run during the Hoosiers’ six-run opening inning and continued to produce in the middle innings. He delivered a two-run double in the third before breaking the game open with a three-run home run in the fourth. He added a solo home run in the sixth, finishing with seven RBIs across four hits and a walk in the eighth.
For the ninth time under head coach Jeff Mercer, Indiana reached the 20-run mark, and Denny played a major role in the offensive outburst, accounting for seven of the Hoosiers’ runs with his bat.
His recent impact is the result of steady development deep into his sophomore season.
“If you look at him year over year, his growth is probably the most improved player on the team, maybe the most improved player in the league,” Mercer said after Indiana’s win over Abilene Christian University on April 17. “He’s smart, he’s adaptable, he’s confident.” on April 17. “He’s smart, he’s adaptable, he’s confident.” on April 17. “He’s smart, he’s adaptable, he’s confident.”
That growth has come from adjustments at the plate.
Denny has refined his swing and his positioning in the batter’s box, allowing him to cover more of the strike zone without exposing himself to pitches on the inside edge, Mercer said.
Denny doesn’t rely on one approach. He makes changes in real time, whether that’s between pitches or between at-bats, Mercer said, allowing him to stay consistent even as pitchers adjust to him. That versatility was evident throughout Tuesday’s game.
Pitchers tried to challenge Denny in different locations, but he consistently stayed within his approach. Whether ahead in the count or adjusting mid at-bat, he made controlled swings and avoided chasing pitches outside the zone.
“When his direction is right and his load is right, there’s just not really anywhere to throw him,” Mercer said.
Even as Indiana built a large lead, Denny’s at-bats remained consistent. He stayed disciplined, worked counts and capitalized when he got pitches he could handle. The result was one of the Hoosiers' most complete individual performances of the season.
Denny’s two home runs helped fuel Indiana’s early surge, his seven RBIs extended the lead and his four-hit day kept him involved in nearly every offensive push the Hoosiers created.
That combination has made him one of the most reliable hitters in Indiana’s lineup throughout the season, especially as of late. Mercer has shown his trust in the sophomore, batting him in the lead-off spot.
“He’s a really special player,” Mercer said. “He’s going to play for a long time.”
Indiana heads back home to take on Iowa at Bart Kaufman Field in its three-game series Friday, with first pitch at 6 p.m.
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.
