Indiana University Athletics
Wednesday, February 25
Cincinnati, Ohio
2 p.m.
Indiana University
at
Xavier
Baseball Central: Xavier
2/24/2026 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A busy week in the Midwest begins for the Indiana Baseball team (2-5, 0-0 B1G) as it prepares for five games in five days. The first part of that slate is a midweek contest in Cincinnati against Xavier (2-5, 0-0 Big East) at Hayden Field. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 25) afternoon.
These two programs have played some of the toughest schedules in the country through the opening weeks of the season. Xavier beat East Carolina in a series to begin the season before being swept last weekend at Arkansas. IU began the year at North Carolina and spent the last three games in Jacksonville, picking up a win over UCF in the process.
Sophomores Hogan Denny and Cooper Malamazian have done the heavy lifting for IU's offense so far this year. The second-year duo has combined for 19 hits, 14 runs, three home runs and 17 RBIs in the heart of the order. Both players are hitting .360 or better with an on-base percentage of .450 and above.
With a busy stretch of action, IU will need big performances from members of the bullpen. Freshman right-handed pitcher Kellen English has shown flashes of brilliance on the mound. His first-year counterparts Ivan Mastalski and Xavier Carrera are candidates to pitch this week.
This will be IU's first trip to Hayden Field since 2023. That meeting, which featured a win for southpaw Ty Bothwell, was the last victory for the Hoosiers in the all-time series.
Gameday Info
at Xavier (Wednesday, February 25th – 2 p.m. ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/46mIIoR
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/3N23eEL
Probable Starters
Indiana vs. Xavier
• Wednesday: RHP Ivan Mastalski, Fr. (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Leading Off
FRY IS COOKING: Freshman second baseman Landen Fry went on a heater last week to begin his college career. He hit .533 (8-15) in the four-game week while scoring five runs and recording five RBIs. Fry is the first freshman in the Jeff Mercer era with at least eight hits in his first 15 career at-bats.
BIG HIT COOP: Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian won the race to reach double-digit RBIs this season. He has 10 RBIs through seven games including four multi-RBI outings in his past five games. He had a bases-clearing double on Sunday against Notre Dame.
FIND A WAY: The Hoosiers are extremely close to breaking through. Finding a way to close games has been a big deal. IU has lost a lead in the seventh inning or later in three different games. The latest was a five-run blown lead against Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon.
BALANCED OFFENSE: IU has gotten contributions from all over its lineup in the early part of the season. 12 different players have recorded a hit this season. The latest addition to that list is freshman third baseman Mateo Noto who had an RBI single on Sunday against Notre Dame.
RIVERA ROCKET: Graduate student right-handed pitcher Reagan Rivera went to work in a big win over UCF last Saturday. He recorded the final 12 outs in a scoreless save in Jacksonville. He's as versatile as it comes on IU's staff this year and can both start games or close when needed.
STAYING BUSY: The Hoosiers are scheduled to play five games in five days, beginning with Wednesday's tilt at Xavier. IU will need an all hands on deck approach with its pitching staff. Expect young arms like freshmen Ivan Mastalski, Kellen English and Xavier Carrera to get some run this week.
THE REAL HD: Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny is on a tear to begin the season. He's hitting .385 with an on-base percentage of .515. On top of his hits, he's reached base safely with five walks and two hit-by-pitches. His current six-game hitting streak is the longest of his career.
BEHIND THE DISH: Junior catcher T.J. Schuyler is one of the best defensive catchers in the entire country. On the season, he's already thrown out four runners who are trying to steal. One of those was a "strike 'em out, throw 'em out" double play in the ninth inning against Notre Dame.
Scouting the Opponent
Xavier
• Xavier, much like IU, has played one of the toughest schedules in the country to date. The Musketeers took a series at East Carolina on opening weekend before getting swept in Fayetteville by Arkansas. Between those games, Xavier played Louisville in a midweek defeat.
• The top of Xavier's lineup has been fantastic to start this year. Josh Stonehouse has four home runs through seven games with 10 hits and seven RBIs. As a team, the Musketeers have already slugged 14 home runs. Seven different players have a long ball this year.
• A midweek loss to Louisville has skewed the numbers, but Xavier always produces a fantastic pitching staff. Garrett Helsel has appeared three times and has a save in 4.1 innings of work. Ashton Chronister has a 1.40 earned run average in three appearances.
Inside the Series
Xavier
• IU holds an all-time 28-8 advantage in the series between two teams separated by two hours. However, Xavier has gotten the best of IU in recent memory. The Musketeers have become one of the most competitive mid-major programs in the past decade.
Xavier has won five of the past seven contests including taking three of four in a series in Bloomington in 2022. IU responded with a win in the last matchup played in Cincinnati (2023). The Musketeers took a pair of victories last February in 2025.
These two programs have played some of the toughest schedules in the country through the opening weeks of the season. Xavier beat East Carolina in a series to begin the season before being swept last weekend at Arkansas. IU began the year at North Carolina and spent the last three games in Jacksonville, picking up a win over UCF in the process.
Sophomores Hogan Denny and Cooper Malamazian have done the heavy lifting for IU's offense so far this year. The second-year duo has combined for 19 hits, 14 runs, three home runs and 17 RBIs in the heart of the order. Both players are hitting .360 or better with an on-base percentage of .450 and above.
With a busy stretch of action, IU will need big performances from members of the bullpen. Freshman right-handed pitcher Kellen English has shown flashes of brilliance on the mound. His first-year counterparts Ivan Mastalski and Xavier Carrera are candidates to pitch this week.
This will be IU's first trip to Hayden Field since 2023. That meeting, which featured a win for southpaw Ty Bothwell, was the last victory for the Hoosiers in the all-time series.
Gameday Info
at Xavier (Wednesday, February 25th – 2 p.m. ET)
Live Video: bit.ly/46mIIoR
Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio
Live Stats: bit.ly/3N23eEL
Probable Starters
Indiana vs. Xavier
• Wednesday: RHP Ivan Mastalski, Fr. (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Leading Off
FRY IS COOKING: Freshman second baseman Landen Fry went on a heater last week to begin his college career. He hit .533 (8-15) in the four-game week while scoring five runs and recording five RBIs. Fry is the first freshman in the Jeff Mercer era with at least eight hits in his first 15 career at-bats.
BIG HIT COOP: Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian won the race to reach double-digit RBIs this season. He has 10 RBIs through seven games including four multi-RBI outings in his past five games. He had a bases-clearing double on Sunday against Notre Dame.
FIND A WAY: The Hoosiers are extremely close to breaking through. Finding a way to close games has been a big deal. IU has lost a lead in the seventh inning or later in three different games. The latest was a five-run blown lead against Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon.
BALANCED OFFENSE: IU has gotten contributions from all over its lineup in the early part of the season. 12 different players have recorded a hit this season. The latest addition to that list is freshman third baseman Mateo Noto who had an RBI single on Sunday against Notre Dame.
RIVERA ROCKET: Graduate student right-handed pitcher Reagan Rivera went to work in a big win over UCF last Saturday. He recorded the final 12 outs in a scoreless save in Jacksonville. He's as versatile as it comes on IU's staff this year and can both start games or close when needed.
STAYING BUSY: The Hoosiers are scheduled to play five games in five days, beginning with Wednesday's tilt at Xavier. IU will need an all hands on deck approach with its pitching staff. Expect young arms like freshmen Ivan Mastalski, Kellen English and Xavier Carrera to get some run this week.
THE REAL HD: Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny is on a tear to begin the season. He's hitting .385 with an on-base percentage of .515. On top of his hits, he's reached base safely with five walks and two hit-by-pitches. His current six-game hitting streak is the longest of his career.
BEHIND THE DISH: Junior catcher T.J. Schuyler is one of the best defensive catchers in the entire country. On the season, he's already thrown out four runners who are trying to steal. One of those was a "strike 'em out, throw 'em out" double play in the ninth inning against Notre Dame.
Scouting the Opponent
Xavier
• Xavier, much like IU, has played one of the toughest schedules in the country to date. The Musketeers took a series at East Carolina on opening weekend before getting swept in Fayetteville by Arkansas. Between those games, Xavier played Louisville in a midweek defeat.
• The top of Xavier's lineup has been fantastic to start this year. Josh Stonehouse has four home runs through seven games with 10 hits and seven RBIs. As a team, the Musketeers have already slugged 14 home runs. Seven different players have a long ball this year.
• A midweek loss to Louisville has skewed the numbers, but Xavier always produces a fantastic pitching staff. Garrett Helsel has appeared three times and has a save in 4.1 innings of work. Ashton Chronister has a 1.40 earned run average in three appearances.
Inside the Series
Xavier
• IU holds an all-time 28-8 advantage in the series between two teams separated by two hours. However, Xavier has gotten the best of IU in recent memory. The Musketeers have become one of the most competitive mid-major programs in the past decade.
Xavier has won five of the past seven contests including taking three of four in a series in Bloomington in 2022. IU responded with a win in the last matchup played in Cincinnati (2023). The Musketeers took a pair of victories last February in 2025.
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