After Indiana baseball’s bullpen allowed nine unanswered runs to erase a seven-run lead in Friday’s loss, the Hoosiers returned to the mound Saturday with a chance to deliver the opposite result.
For most of the afternoon, Indiana’s pitching looked capable of producing the program’s second shutout win of the season.
Behind 5.1 scoreless innings from sophomore left-hander Brayton Thomas and three innings of strong relief work from graduate student right-hander Reagan Rivera, the Hoosiers carried a 4-0 shutout into the ninth inning against Purdue at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Thomas delivered one of his strongest conference outings of the season.
The sophomore allowed just four hits across 5.1 innings while walking two and striking out two. Rather than relying on strikeouts, Thomas consistently forced weak contact, generating routine ground balls and flyouts to keep Purdue’s offense quiet.
His ability to escape jams proved critical.
Purdue threatened in the fourth inning after a double down the right-field line and again in the sixth after a hit batter and walk created another scoring opportunity. Thomas escaped both situations without allowing a run, helping Indiana maintain control throughout the afternoon.
The sophomore exited in the sixth inning with two runners aboard and one out.
Indiana turned to Rivera out of the bullpen, and the graduate student immediately delivered.
Rivera recorded the final two outs of the sixth before continuing through the seventh and eighth innings. Across his relief outing, Rivera allowed just two hits while striking out two and keeping Purdue scoreless deep into the game.
Indiana’s offense provided enough support.
The Hoosiers opened the scoring in the third inning when sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny doubled into the left-center gap and later scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie.
Indiana added another run in the fourth.
Sophomore infielder Will Moore reached base before sophomore infielder Cooper Malamazian worked a walk. After sophomore outfielder Cole Decker advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, freshman second baseman Landen Fry delivered an RBI bunt single down the first-base line to extend Indiana’s lead to 2-0.
The Hoosiers created further separation in the seventh inning, while Purdue’s bats remained silent.
Denny reached base after being hit by a pitch and advanced into scoring position on a throwing error. Koskie followed with a bunt single to load the bases.
Moore then delivered a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home a run, and Malamazian followed with an RBI single to left field, extending the lead while taking advantage of Purdue’s defensive mistakes.
The offensive approach reflected a shift from Friday’s opener.
Rather than relying on one explosive inning, Indiana manufactured runs through bunts, sacrifice flies and situational hitting while allowing its pitching staff to control the game.
But the ninth inning quickly brought back memories of Friday night’s collapse.
Despite a two-out double from Decker, Indiana went scoreless in the top half, and in the bottom of the inning, Purdue immediately created pressure against Rivera trailing four runs. The Boilermakers opened the frame with a single before adding a walk and another hit to load the bases with one out.
One day after Indiana’s bullpen surrendered nine unanswered runs late, head coach Jeff Mercer remained patient with Rivera, who had been the lone bullpen arm for Indiana to find success, even as Purdue threatened again.
But after a bases-loaded walk brought in Purdue’s first run and Rivera’s pitch count climbed past 50, Indiana turned to senior left-hander Anthony Gubitosi to try and finish the game.
Purdue immediately cut into the lead again with a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 4-2. A walk followed on the next at bat, loading the bases once again. Purdue was now in position to win the game.
Coach Mercer visited the mound again and opted to leave Gubitosi on the mound in the situation, putting his trust in the senior pitcher.
After being shutout for eight innings, Purdue senior outfielder Brandon Rodgers perfectly placed a double down the line. Two runners scored by the time Indiana grabbed the ball in right field. The third runner rounded third base, threatening to end the game with a score.
The throw came in but was too late. Purdue pulled away with its second come-from-behind win in as many days en route to a 5-4 victory.
Indiana will look to salvage the series in Sunday’s finale, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. ET at Alexander Field in West Lafayette.
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.
