Indiana University Athletics
Tuesday, February 17
Bloomington, Ind.
4 p.m.
Indiana University
vs
Bradley
Baseball Central: Bradley
2/16/2026 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A beautiful early-spring afternoon will allow the Indiana Baseball team (0-3, 0-0 B1G) to open up its home slate in 2026 on Tuesday (Feb. 17) afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field. It's the fourth-straight year that IU has played its first home in February. The Hoosiers will look to improve their all-time record in home openers at its current stadium to 11-3.
IU is coming off a sweep at the hands of No. 11 North Carolina on opening weekend. The Hoosiers had a chance to salvage the weekend in the second game of a doubleheader but allowed a two-run lead to slip away in the ninth inning. IU's three starting pitchers worked a 3.27 earned run average but sixth inning trouble spoiled the first two contests against the Tar Heels.
Sophomore Will Moore continues to shine at the top of IU's lineup. He takes a 21-game reached base streak into Tuesday's contest with Bradley. Moore had three hits on the weekend including an RBI double in game two of the series. Sophomore utilityman Hogan Denny reached safely with a pair of hits, four walks and a hit-by-pitch.
The Hoosiers and pitching coach Matt Myers' are expected to roll out several arms to keep pitchers primed for a three-game weekend in Jacksonville. IU used 12 different pitchers on opening weekend in North Carolina, highlighted by brilliant relief appearances from graduate student Gavin Seebold and junior Jackson Yarberry.
First pitch on Tuesday at Bart Kaufman Field is set for 4 p.m. on B1G+. Admission will be free for all fans.
Gameday Info
vs. Bradley (Tuesday, February 17th – 4 p.m. ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/4aAzOFE
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/4tDubzc
Probable Starters
Indiana vs. Bradley
• Tuesday: TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Leading Off
LOOKING FOR FIRST WIN: After dropping a tough weekend finale at No. 11 North Carolina, the Indiana Baseball team will hope to pick up its first win of the year on Tuesday afternoon. The Hoosiers are 220-80-1 at Bart Kaufman Field since it opened in 2013.
HOME OPENER: IU will play its first home game in February for the fourth-straight season. Since Bart Kaufman Field opened, IU is 10-3 in home openers. The Hoosiers dropped an 8-4 decision to Xavier last season but have won six of the last seven home openers.
ON BASE MACHINE: Sophomore third baseman Will Moore has been everything you want in a leadoff hitter for the Hoosiers. He has reached base safely in 21-straight games dating back to last year. He had three base hits and a walk during his first weekend of the season.
NEW ARMS: IU used 12 different pitchers on opening weekend. Only five of them were on the roster last year, meaning seven arms made their debut for IU against North Carolina. Right-handed pitcher Xavier Carrera was the only true freshman to throw in the first three games.
TOUGH AB'S: Sophomore outfielder/catcher Hogan Denny was the only player that didn't strike out on opening weekend. He's known for productive at-bats. He reached safely on two hits, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. Denny has a .538 on-base percentage to this point in the year.
YOUNG KIDS: Freshman outfielder Cal Gates became the 12th true freshman position player to start a game for head coach Jeff Mercer at IU on opening weekend. He played in all three games and scored one run. A true freshman has started a game on opening weekend in seven of eight of Mercer's seasons.
Scouting the Opponent
Bradley
• Bradley went 1-2 on opening weekend, salvaging the series with a Sunday victory. The Braves scored a run in the ninth inning to come away with a 7-6 win. Outfielder Ashton Horchem is leading the team with a .429 batting average. He also reached safely with three walks. Infielder Peyton Nelson is also hitting above .300 after a two-hit contest on Sunday.
• The pitching staff was taxed for 25 runs in three games this past weekend. Robert Sanford and Brady Appel both made multiple appearances. Davis Webb provided a three-inning, scoreless effort out of the bullpen. Bradley had an even split with 21 strikeouts to 21 walks.
Inside the Series
Bradley
• These two sides first begin the series back in 1951 when they played in Bloomington for a pair of games at the end of the season. Since 1952, IU and Bradley have played neutral site contests but return to a host site this season for the first time since
IU has won four of the past six contests in the series, the last a 10-inning win in 2010 on a spring break trip to Florida. Since 2022, it is the fifth different Missouri Valley opponent that IU will play.
IU is coming off a sweep at the hands of No. 11 North Carolina on opening weekend. The Hoosiers had a chance to salvage the weekend in the second game of a doubleheader but allowed a two-run lead to slip away in the ninth inning. IU's three starting pitchers worked a 3.27 earned run average but sixth inning trouble spoiled the first two contests against the Tar Heels.
Sophomore Will Moore continues to shine at the top of IU's lineup. He takes a 21-game reached base streak into Tuesday's contest with Bradley. Moore had three hits on the weekend including an RBI double in game two of the series. Sophomore utilityman Hogan Denny reached safely with a pair of hits, four walks and a hit-by-pitch.
The Hoosiers and pitching coach Matt Myers' are expected to roll out several arms to keep pitchers primed for a three-game weekend in Jacksonville. IU used 12 different pitchers on opening weekend in North Carolina, highlighted by brilliant relief appearances from graduate student Gavin Seebold and junior Jackson Yarberry.
First pitch on Tuesday at Bart Kaufman Field is set for 4 p.m. on B1G+. Admission will be free for all fans.
Gameday Info
vs. Bradley (Tuesday, February 17th – 4 p.m. ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/4aAzOFE
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/4tDubzc
Probable Starters
Indiana vs. Bradley
• Tuesday: TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Leading Off
LOOKING FOR FIRST WIN: After dropping a tough weekend finale at No. 11 North Carolina, the Indiana Baseball team will hope to pick up its first win of the year on Tuesday afternoon. The Hoosiers are 220-80-1 at Bart Kaufman Field since it opened in 2013.
HOME OPENER: IU will play its first home game in February for the fourth-straight season. Since Bart Kaufman Field opened, IU is 10-3 in home openers. The Hoosiers dropped an 8-4 decision to Xavier last season but have won six of the last seven home openers.
ON BASE MACHINE: Sophomore third baseman Will Moore has been everything you want in a leadoff hitter for the Hoosiers. He has reached base safely in 21-straight games dating back to last year. He had three base hits and a walk during his first weekend of the season.
NEW ARMS: IU used 12 different pitchers on opening weekend. Only five of them were on the roster last year, meaning seven arms made their debut for IU against North Carolina. Right-handed pitcher Xavier Carrera was the only true freshman to throw in the first three games.
TOUGH AB'S: Sophomore outfielder/catcher Hogan Denny was the only player that didn't strike out on opening weekend. He's known for productive at-bats. He reached safely on two hits, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. Denny has a .538 on-base percentage to this point in the year.
YOUNG KIDS: Freshman outfielder Cal Gates became the 12th true freshman position player to start a game for head coach Jeff Mercer at IU on opening weekend. He played in all three games and scored one run. A true freshman has started a game on opening weekend in seven of eight of Mercer's seasons.
Scouting the Opponent
Bradley
• Bradley went 1-2 on opening weekend, salvaging the series with a Sunday victory. The Braves scored a run in the ninth inning to come away with a 7-6 win. Outfielder Ashton Horchem is leading the team with a .429 batting average. He also reached safely with three walks. Infielder Peyton Nelson is also hitting above .300 after a two-hit contest on Sunday.
• The pitching staff was taxed for 25 runs in three games this past weekend. Robert Sanford and Brady Appel both made multiple appearances. Davis Webb provided a three-inning, scoreless effort out of the bullpen. Bradley had an even split with 21 strikeouts to 21 walks.
Inside the Series
Bradley
• These two sides first begin the series back in 1951 when they played in Bloomington for a pair of games at the end of the season. Since 1952, IU and Bradley have played neutral site contests but return to a host site this season for the first time since
IU has won four of the past six contests in the series, the last a 10-inning win in 2010 on a spring break trip to Florida. Since 2022, it is the fifth different Missouri Valley opponent that IU will play.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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C/OF
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INF
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RHP
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RHP
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