Indiana’s five-run eighth inning highlights sensational turn of events in spoiling Maryland’s stellar start on the mound
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach April 18th, 2025
photos by Carl James
“You have to trust your guys. You have to keep going for it and try to find a way to keep your team in the game.”
— Head Coach Jeff Mercer
Indiana Hoosiers 7, Maryland Terrapins 6
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score | Postgame Media
For the penultimate series played at Bart Kaufman Field this spring, Indiana made it a memorable one – which the group believes can alter the trajectory of the season.
“It really catapults you good confidence, and then the demeanor to just keep going,” said head coach Jeff Mercer. “We’ve lost a ton of those two and three-run games, we’ve had guys on base late in opportunities, and haven’t always come through. To finish today is a big deal for the camaraderie and the enthusiasm for the rest of the weekend and down the stretch.”
Mercer’s emotional comments came into fruition thanks to a walk-off knock by freshman Will Moore. Yet, he claims the biggest at-bat of the night came earlier in the evening, a 3-2 count walk to rally the batting order. The Hoosiers had a tall task to even get to that spot.
WALK-OFF WINNER! Will Moore pokes that one for a series-opening 7-6 victory in favor of the Hoosiers. Resilient, gritty, and necessary win for Indiana. Six runs over the final two frames to close this one out. @iubase17 #iubase pic.twitter.com/tYygfsWh3q
— Zach Horwitz (@HorwitzZach) April 19, 2025
Backing an efficient two innings during Tuesday’s midweek matchup against Indiana State, Jackson Yarberry earned the opener of a 4-arm outing for the home-standing Hoosier pitching staff. The right-hander tossed a solid first inning that showcased a trio of flyouts. In similar fashion to Tuesday, free passes came back to bite.
Yarberry, making his first appearance in a weekend series, walked two Terrapins batters, including nine-hole hitter Elijah Lambros, before getting to one of Maryland’s top bats in Eddie Hacopian. The leadoff man drove an 0-1 fastball to straightaway center for a grand slam to give the visitors an early advantage.
From there, Indiana was forced to play catch-up which didn’t set its place until the latter moments of the ballgame.
The Hoosiers trailed for the entirety of the four innings that left-hander Ryan Kraft tossed to keep them in the game. Mercer credits pitching coach Dustin Glant for the game-altering, series-altering, and maybe even season-altering, pitching change in bringing in their ringer, Jacob Vogel into a five-run deficit.
“I’m so glad he (Glant) made that decision because it won the game for us. You have to trust your guys. You have to keep going for it and try to find a way to keep your team in the game.”
Vogel entered in the middle of the seventh, inheriting two runners in scoring position. The 6’7 redshirt sophomore pumped inside fastballs to induce a popup and groundout, which ended the frame.
The right-hander’s strut off the mound may have energized the dugout, or a hesitant Maryland coaching staff aided the comeback effort. Having only allowed four hits and one walk prior to the eighth inning, Maryland starter Kyle McCoy was in total control of the Hoosier offense.
“He’s a big leaguer,” said Coach Mercer. He continued praising the pitch mix usage from the Terrapins’ southpaw in keeping his offense off-balance. In the eighth, Mercer felt something was coming. “If we could just get a guy or two on, we got a real shot here.”
McCoy toed the rubber with 97 pitches under his belt entering the home half, and Indiana made him pay. After Jake Hanley and Tyler Cerny hit their way into scoring position, Hogan Denny cut the lead to three before Cooper Malamazian sent a ‘364 foot towering shot to left field, bringing the game to a one-run deficit.
In comes Jeff Mercer’s biggest at-bat of the evening. “You go up and hit a homer. It’s exciting. Everyone’s fired up. Usually the next guy tries to leave earth and pops up in the infield.” Not Will Moore. The youngster worked himself a 3-2 walk, setting up the game-tying RBI by Korbyn Dickerson.
The Hoosiers rolled the dice with usual game two starter Ben Grable entering in the ninth. He worked a 1-2-3 inning before the magic commenced.
Tyler Cerny extended his program-record lead in hit-by-pitches and found his way to third base on an errant pickoff attempt by Maryland hurler Cristopher Cespedes. From there, the 2,037 Hoosier fans rose to their feet and pulled their cell phones out of their pockets.
The forthcoming moment was put to a halt. Joey Brenczewski and Cooper Malamazian were punched out swinging while Will Moore came down to his final strike. “If it is anywhere close, I was going to swing,” Moore said. The rookie slapped the baseball into shallow left centerfield to clinch the series-opener.
“I couldn’t feel my legs. I was just running around and see everyone running towards me. This might be the best feeling,” Moore mentioned of the celebrations.
Indiana takes the opening game over Maryland in a comeback effort for a crucial victory. The 7-6 win has Indiana in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the weekend with Maryland falling despite a stellar pitching performance. Game two is tentatively scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday.