Bullpen Provides Big Spark

Tuesday, April 7

Bloomington, Ind.

6 p.m.

Indiana University

13-19

Ball State

15-16

Ball State

Indiana

4/7/2026 10:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – On a cold night at the ballpark, the Indiana Baseball team (13-19, 5-10 B1G) got a magnificent performance from its bullpen to earn a hard fought 6-4 win over Ball State (15-16, 10-6 MAC). Five relievers combined to record the final 25 outs of the game without allowing a run on Tuesday (April 7) evening at Bart Kaufman Field.

Graduate student southpaw Conner Linn didn't produce the start that IU's coaching staff was looking for. He recorded just two outs before exiting in a 4-0 hole. His five teammates made up the difference, hurling 8.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to get IU to a third win in four games.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Ivan Mastalski (3.1 IP) and graduate student right-handed pitchers Kaden Jacobi (2.0 IP) and Michael Sarhatt (1.2 IP) each provided zeros across multiple innings of work. Freshman right-handed pitcher Kellen English (W, 1-1) got his first career win after a clean seventh inning on the mound.

IU's offense immediately answered the four spot in the first inning, allowing the bullpen to settle in the game. A two-run double from sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie and an RBI single from Cole Decker helped put four runs on the board in the opening frame. The Hoosiers added insurance in the sixth inning on a Ball State error and an RBI single from sophomore third baseman Will Moore.

The Tuesday win will provide a jolt of confidence in an IU bullpen that's had to carry a big load through a handful of injuries. It also sets IU up on the mound to have most arms available on Friday (April 10) evening for the beginning of a big series in College Park against Maryland.

Scoring Recap
Top First
In the first at bat of the game, Brayden Heubner hit a solo home run. Ball State added to the lead with RBI singles from Kenskey Thomas, Brett Griffiths and Maalik Perkins.
Ball State 4, Indiana 0

Bottom First
It was an immediate answer from the Hoosiers. Caleb Koskie had a two-run, ground-rule double to score Jake Hanley and Hogan Denny. Landen Fry provided an RBI groundout before a single to center field from Cole Decker tied the game.
Indiana 4, Ball State 4

Bottom Seventh
The only other scoring was done in the seventh inning. Fry reached safely on a throwing error that allowed Hanley to score. Will Moore's RBI single provided all the insurance that IU would need.
Indiana 6, Ball State 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#18 Mastalski, Ivan
3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

#17 Koskie, Caleb
1-4, 2B, 2 RBI

#41 Jacobi, Kaden
2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Inside the Box Score
• Seven of IU's starters recorded at least one hit. Jake Hanley and Cooper Malamazian each had multi-hit days.
• IU's pitching staff allowed just four free passes. After the first inning, they gave up just five hits.
• The Hoosiers' bullpen racked up nine strikeouts and didn't allow a run.

Notes to Know
• Freshman right-handed pitcher Ivan Mastalski went a career high 3.1 innings in relief on Tuesday night to provide a big boost to IU's pitching staff. He matched a career high with 46 pitches thrown and collected a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless effort. He has five shutout outings this year that lasted at least two innings.

• Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie had an early double to extend his hitting streak to 13-consecutive games. It matches Devin Taylor's streak (13 – 2025) as the longest over the last two seasons by an IU player. In each of the last four campaigns, IU has had one player with a single-season hitting streak of exactly 13 games.

• Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley started his 88th-straight game for the Hoosiers on Tuesday evening. It's the most consecutive starts to begin an IU career since former All-American catcher Kyle Schwarber (88 – 2012-13). The longest streak since 2010 belongs to former infielder Dustin DeMuth (102 – 2011-12).

• The 25 outs that IU's bullpen recorded in the win are the most – in an IU victory – in over three years. Against Ohio State on March 25, 2023, the Hoosiers got all 27 outs from its staff of relievers to complete a 14-6 win over the Buckeyes. IU's starter didn't pick up a single out before allowing four runs in that eventual comeback victory.

Up Next
IU will be back on the road for the first time in April. Maryland will host IU for a three-game set in College Park (March 10-12) over the weekend. The first two games will be streamed on B1G+ before BTN picks up the series finale. They will all be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.