Indiana’s offensive outburst Tuesday night looked exactly like what head coach Jeff Mercer had in mind when constructing this year’s roster.
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach March 10th, 2026, photos by Carl James
“What we did tonight was much more of what I envisioned us doing”
— Head Coach Jeff Mercer
Indiana Hoosiers 12, Wright State 4
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
Coming off a series loss to Washington where they plated just six runs in the final two games, the Hoosiers went back to the drawing board. The offense flipped the script early, scored in bunches, and never looked back.
Outside of Caleb Koskie’s three-run home run in the first inning, nine of Indiana’s 12 runs came across on base hits, a reflection of the approach Mercer believes best fits the Hoosiers’ lineup: consistent contact, moving runners, and creating scoring opportunities without relying solely on the long ball.
“What we did tonight was much more of what I envisioned us doing,” Mercer said. “The idea is for us to be in that seven-to-eight runs a game range, run the bases, steal bases, be able to go two bases at a time. Then those guys in the middle, it’s okay if they leave the ballpark when they get a mistake.”
Indiana used that formula throughout a 12–4 win over Wright State at Bart Kaufman Field.
The Hoosiers struck first in the opening inning when Jake Hanley lined an RBI double to left-center to score Will Moore. Moments later, Koskie gave Indiana an early cushion, launching a three-run homer to left field that put the Hoosiers ahead 4–0.
While the long ball provided the early spark, the rest of Indiana’s scoring came from the type of offense Mercer hopes will define the team.
“You take the ball that’s outside the other way, and when you get a mistake inside you can pull it,” Mercer said. “You just can’t pull outside pitches in the air. That balance is what we’re trying to teach.”
Wright State chipped away at the lead with three solo home runs between the second and fourth innings, cutting Indiana’s advantage to 4–3.
But Indiana’s lineup continued to manufacture runs.
In the sixth inning, Hogan Denny delivered a two-run single to left field that scored both Will Moore and Cole Decker. Brayden Ricketts followed with a run-scoring fielder’s choice to extend the Hoosiers’ lead to 7–3.
Indiana again answered Wright State in the eighth inning with another multi-run rally built largely through contact. Hanley drove in a run with a single to center field before Koskie added two more RBIs with a double down the left-field line. Landen Fry later reached on a fielding error that allowed another run to score, and Moore capped the inning with an RBI single.
At the top of the order, Moore set the tone all night, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a walk, reaching base five times.
“When Will is a hitter first, that’s when he’s at his best,” Mercer said. “That’s the engine for the offense to really go.”
While the offense produced the headlines, a critical moment on the mound helped Indiana maintain control of the game.
With Wright State threatening and the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Kaden Jacobi entered the game with two outs and a 2–0 count already on the hitter. The right-hander needed just three pitches to escape the jam, and keep Indiana’s 4-3 advantage in hand, shutting down the rally before it could develop.
Mercer credited Jacobi’s aggressive mentality for the quick escape.
“You can’t be afraid to fail. You have to assume success and go for it,” Mercer said. “He just went for it and attacked.”
Indiana finished the night with 16 hits, while the pitching staff combined to hold Wright State to four runs. Ivan Mastalski earned the win, throwing two innings while allowing one run.
For Mercer, the performance represented more than just a midweek victory and ending a losing skid. It became a glimpse of the offensive identity he envisioned when putting the roster together.