Denny Slugs, Pitchers Shove in Midweek Victory

Tuesday, March 17

Nashville, Tenn.

3 p.m.

Indiana University

8-12

Vanderbilt

13-9

Indiana

Vanderbilt

3/17/2026 7:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A career day from sophomore catcher Hogan Denny was everything that the Indiana Baseball team (8-12, 1-5 B1G) needed and more. The Indiana native was involved in all five runs in a 5-1 win over Vanderbilt (13-9, 2-1 SEC) on Tuesday (March 17) afternoon at Hawkins Field. He smashed two home runs (four RBIs) and scored on an RBI single from sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley in IU's fourth midweek win of the year.

After being swept in a tight series at Oregon, IU traveled all the way to Tennessee and went right back to work. Four pitchers, led by graduate student southpaw Conner Linn (W, 2-0), combined to allow one run over nine innings. Linn worked 3.2 shutout frames while racking up a season-high five strikeouts. He earned his second win of the year – both in midweek victories.

The Hoosiers kept the hosts scoreless through the first seven innings before an RBI single from Chris Maldonado spoiled the shutout. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher and graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold combined on 3.1 scoreless frames in relief. Freshman reliever Ivan Mastalski struck out three batters in two innings without giving up a walk.

Denny's seventh-inning home run was the clutch hit that IU has been searching for over the last two weeks. He extended IU's lead to five runs and provided valuable insurance to counter Vanderbilt's comeback attempt. All four of Denny's hits went for extra bases. It was his second career game (both this year) with multiple home runs.

Tuesday's win was the first over an SEC opponent since beating Kentucky in the 2023 Lexington Regional. It moves IU to 4-0 in midweek contests this season. In those four games, the Hoosiers are outscoring opponents 42-12. Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie, who had a two-hit day, is hitting .667 (8-12) in Tuesday/Wednesday games.

The Hoosiers are back home in Bloomington this weekend after a long spring break trip. Minnesota will be in town to face IU for a three-game conference set at Bart Kaufman Field. IU is looking to pick up its first conference series win of the year after dropping weekends with Washington and Oregon.

Scoring Recap
Top Third
Hogan Denny smashed an opposite field two-run home run to open the scoring on Tuesday.
Indiana 2, Vanderbilt 0

Top Fifth
Jake Hanley singled off the glove of the third baseman to extend the lead.
Indiana 3, Vanderbilt 0

Top Seventh
Denny did it again in the seventh inning, hitting a two-run blast to the same spot in right-center field.
Indiana 5, Vanderbilt 0

Bottom Eighth
Chris Maldonado put Vanderbilt on the board with an RBI single.
Indiana 5, Vanderbilt 1

Top Hoosier Performers
#2 Denny, Hogan
4-5, 2 HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R

#28 Linn, Conner
3.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K

#21 Vogel, Jacob
2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K

Inside the Box Score
• IU recorded 10+ hits for the seventh time this season.
• Hogan Denny and Caleb Koskie had multi-hit days for the Hoosiers.
• The Hoosiers walked just three batters and recorded nine strikeouts.

Notes to Know
• Sophomore catcher/outfielder Hogan Denny had a career day with four hits in the win – all for extra bases. He matched career highs in home runs (2) and RBIs (4) while recording multiple doubles in the same contest for the first time. He's the fourth member of his sophomore class (Hanley, Malamazian and Moore) with a four-hit day in their career. He's the first IU player to have four extra-base hits since Cooper Malamazian (vs. Penn State – 1, March 7, 2025)

• The Hoosiers' pitching staff – which featured four arms – allowed just one run against Vanderbilt's potent offense. It's the third time this year that IU has allowed just one run in a game. Two of those games (UCF) have come against power four conference opponents. IU is now 8-4 this year when giving up six-or-fewer runs.

• Graduate student left-handed pitcher Conner Linn gave IU a fantastic midweek start. He worked a season high in innings pitched (3.2), strikeouts (5) and pitches (65). The Hoosiers' bullpen allowed just one start while picking up the final 16 outs of the game. Freshman right-handed pitcher Ivan Mastalski had three strikeouts over two innings.

Up Next
IU returns home for its second home Big Ten weekend of the year. The Hoosiers will welcome Minnesota to Bart Kaufman Field. All three games will be streamed on B1G+ and will be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.