Middle Innings Prove Costly in Saturday Defeat

Saturday, April 18

Bloomington, Ind.

4 p.m.

Indiana University

17-22

Abilene Christian

19-19

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Abilene Christian	0	1	0	3	2	0	1	0	1	8	7	0
Indiana	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	4	7	0

4/18/2026 8:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After hitting the ball at a high level all week, the Indiana Baseball team (17-22, 6-12 B1G) couldn't make the necessary in-game adjustments to get going on Saturday (April 18) afternoon. As has been the case all year, offensive struggles were persistent in the middle game of another series. IU worked just four runs on seven hits in an 8-4 loss to Abilene Christian (19-19, 2-4 WAC) at Bart Kaufman Field.

Runners left on base in timely situations came back to hurt late in the game. The Hoosiers were just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. They left the bases loaded in the opening inning and failed to get anyone across with two on, no outs in the fifth inning. Late solo home runs from redshirt freshman catcher Brayden Ricketts and sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny weren't enough to close the deficit.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas (L, 1-3) was rolling through the first three innings. He had already racked up seven strikeouts (career high) through three frames and was sitting on just 44 pitches. But the fourth inning proved costly for the young southpaw. A series of free passes opened the door to the IU bullpen and shifted all the momentum back to the visitors. A two-run single from Kanon Sundgren put Abilene Christian in front for good.

IU will have a chance to win the series with its third rubber game in the last three weeks. The Hoosiers will have a plethora of bullpen arms available – including graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold. First pitch in the deciding weekend contest is set for Noon in Bloomington on B1G+.

Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Cole Decker beat out an infield single with the bases loaded to open the scoring.
Indiana 1, Abilene Christian 0

Top Second
Kanon Sundgren singled into right field to even the score in the second inning.
Indiana 1, Abilene Christian 1

Bottom Third
Decker continued his big weekend with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Indiana 2, Abilene Christian 1

Top Fourth
Sundgren answered back with a two-run single to take the lead. Later in the inning, JT Thompson came around to score on a wild pitch.
Abilene Christian 4, Indiana 2

Top Fifth
Brady Ladusau broke things open with a two-run blast off the scoreboard.
Abilene Christian 6, Indiana 2

Bottom Sixth
Brayden Ricketts chipped away at the lead with a solo home run.
Abilene Christian 6, Indiana 3

Top Seventh
Ladusau hit his second home run of the day to take the advantage back to four runs.
Abilene Christian 7, Indiana 3

Top Ninth
Ryan Jones walked with the bases loaded to score an eighth run of the contest.
Abilene Christian 8, Indiana 3

Bottom Ninth
Hogan Denny led off the home half with a solo home run.
Abilene Christian 8, Indiana 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#15 Malamazian, Cooper
2-4, 2B, BB

#19 Decker, Cole
2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

#42 Ricketts, Brayden
1-3, HR, RBI, BB

Inside the Box Score
• IU's quartet of pitchers provided 13 strikeouts. On the flip side, they combined to walk eight batters.
• The Hoosiers held the top four hitters in the Abilene Christian lineup without a hit.
• Cooper Malamazian and Cole Decker each had multi-hit efforts in the loss.

Notes to Know
• Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie just keeps hitting. His hitting streak is now out to 20-straight games with his reached base streak at 21-consecutive contests. Tomorrow, Koskie will have a chance to match Alex Dickerson (21 – 2010) for the longest hitting streak (single season) by an IU player in the last 16 years.

• Despite some struggles with command, sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas recorded a career high eight strikeouts. Seven of those came in the first nine outs of the game. He exceeded his previous career high by three punchouts before leaving the game in the fourth inning.

• Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian is riding a career long 11-game hitting streak. He trails Koskie for the team lead but has been hitting the ball at a high level. In the last 10 games, Malamazian is hitting 17-39 (.436) while striking out only eight times. He has five multi-hit efforts in the month of April.

Up Next
The series will have to be settled on Sunday (April 19) afternoon in Bloomington. First pitch on B1G+ is set for Noon from Bart Kaufman Field. It will also be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.