Bats, Clutch Pitching Spark Midweek Success

Wednesday, February 25

Cincinnati, Ohio

2 p.m.

Indiana University

3-5

Xavier

2-6

Indiana

Xavier

2/25/2026 6:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

CINCINNATI, Ohio. – Behind 15 hits, seven walks and 10 runs, the Indiana Baseball team (3-5, 0-0 B1G) exploded for a big offensive afternoon on Wednesday (Feb. 25) at Hayden Field. The Hoosiers took the lead in the fourth inning and led the rest of the way enroute to a 10-4 win over Xavier (2-6, 0-0 Big East). Nine of the 10 players that got at-bats recorded at least one hit.

After two weekends of facing stiff competition, IU's offense is starting to show the lessons it learned early in the year. Head coach Jeff Mercer has built his team to work long counts, take free bases and drive balls through the middle of the field. It did that and more on Wednesday afternoon, scoring all 10 runs in four-consecutive innings. After an RBI groundout from freshman second baseman Landen Fry in the fourth inning, IU controlled the game the rest of the way.

Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley dropped down to the six hole in the lineup but found the spark he was looking for. He connected on a trio of run-producing base hits, including an RBI double off the wall in right field. He and redshirt junior right fielder Ayden Crouse each recorded three-hit days for the Hoosiers. Sophomore third baseman Will Moore hit an opposite field, two-run blast in the seventh inning for a pair of insurance runs.

With a mix of freshmen and seniors working in the game, IU's pitching staff steadied the ship against a physical Xavier lineup. The seven arms that the Hoosiers used combined for 10 strikeouts and just two walks. Freshman right-handed pitcher Xavier Carrera (W, 1-0) worked a scoreless third before IU took the lead in the fourth. Graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold slammed the door with two scoreless innings.

Wednesday's effort was the fourth time (in eight games) that IU has allowed four-or-fewer runs on the mound. The Hoosiers are now 2-0 in midweeks and will be ready to take on Western Kentucky in a four-game series this weekend in Bowling Green.

Scoring Recap
Bottom Second
The hosts got on the board in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from Luke Hammond.
Xavier 1, Indiana 0

Top Fourth
Jake Hanley began a big inning for the Hoosiers with an RBI single through the left side. An RBI groundout to the pitcher from Landen Fry scored a second run. RBIs from Ayden Crouse (single) and Will Moore (hit-by-pitch) helped IU hang a four spot in the fourth.
Indiana 4, Xavier 1

Bottom Fourth
The Musketeers trimmed the lead in the fourth when Clay Burdette scored on a wild pitch.
Indiana 4, Xavier 2

Top Fifth
Hanley doubled off the wall to score Hogan Denny at the beginning of the inning. With two outs, the nine-hole hitter Cole Decker delivered an RBI single. Moore walked with the bases loaded as IU added a third run in the frame.
Indiana 7, Xavier 2

Top Sixth
Hanley continued his hot day with another RBI single. The hit was his third of the day and his third RBI of the day.
Indiana 8, Xavier 2

Bottom Sixth
Tommy Townsend came on to pinch hit with runners in scoring position and delivered a two-run double.
Indiana 8, Xavier 4

Top Seventh
The Hoosiers got those runs right back on a two-run home run from Will Moore.
Indiana 10, Xavier 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#5 Crouse, Ayden
3-5, R, RBI, BB, SB

#34 Hanley, Jake
3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B

#4 Moore, Will
1-3, HR, R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, HBP

Inside the Box Score
• The pitching staff did a great job of managing the game. IU struck out 10 batters and walked just two.
• The top six guys in IU's order all recorded hits. In total, nine of 10 players to come to the plate had a hit.
• Will Moore recorded IU's second four-RBI game of the year (Hogan Denny).

Notes to Know
• Sophomore third baseman Will Moore hit the second home run of his career with a two-run blast in the seventh inning. Moore recorded RBIs on a hit-by-pitch, walk and then on the two-run home run. His four RBIs in the game were a career high. In the process, he extended his reached base streak to 24-straight games.

• For the 40th time in the Jeff Mercer era, IU racked up 15 hits in a game. The Hoosiers did it with just four extra-base hits (three doubles, one home run). It is IU's first game with 15 hits since May 3, 2025 at Abilene Christian (17). IU has won 25-straight games when recording at least 15 base knocks.

• Graduate student pitcher Gavin Seebold has now worked three scoreless appearances to begin his final season of college baseball. In total, he's tossed 8.1 innings of five-hit, no-run action in 2026. He's racked up eight strikeouts and is allowing opposing batters to hit just .179 on the year. All three of his outings have lasted multiple innings.

• As well, redshirt junior pitcher Jacob Vogel has been impactful in his role. He's thrown three-straight scoreless outings. In Wednesday's win, he stranded a runner on third base to end the second inning. Since beginning game action in 2024, 27 of 35 Vogel's career appearances have been scoreless.

Up Next
The Hoosiers are set for a busy weekend away from home. Head coach Jeff Mercer's team will play a four-game set on the road against Western Kentucky in Bowling Green. The first game of the series is on Friday (Feb. 27) afternoon. All four games will be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.