Hoosiers feast at the plate, scoring 32 runs and run-ruling Spartans across both contests
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach April 7th, 2025
photos by Carl James
“It was one of the best days, if not the best day, I’ve seen at Indiana in my seven years here.”
— Head Coach Jeff Mercer
Indiana Hoosiers 14, Michigan State Spartans 2 (7 innings)
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
Indiana Hoosiers 18, Michigan State Spartans 2 (7 innings)
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
“It was one of best, if not the best, day I’ve seen at Indiana in my seven years here,” said head coach Jeff Mercer. The skipper and multiple position players also alluded to the Big Ten series sweep as a complete performance all the way around.
Indiana outscored Michigan State 32-4 in Monday’s doubleheader, sweeping the weekend series en route to a 9-6 record in the Big Ten. While the scorching bats summed up the broad idea of the ball games, Mercer first credited the pitching staff.
“We filled up the zone on the mound… we threw strikes all day. We executed continuously and got into advantage counts for us.” The tandem of Ben Grable and Cole Gilley combined to toss seven innings of two-run baseball, allowing just five hits and punching out seven. Giving some leeway for game three of the series, Pete Haas, Grant Holderfield, and Aydan Decker-Petty toed the slab, in which they combined for only two runs allowed and walking two batters. Holderfield, granted the win, kept the Spartans in check with his transition of offspeed pitches.
“He went to the back door slider. TJ (Schuyler) called it, and he landed it, and then kept landing it, and then got out of trouble with it.” Mercer continues to mention Grant Holderfield as an adult in the clubhouse, and a guy he can rely on to step up.
“He’s been there and he’s adjustable. He didn’t allow the inning to get big and feel sorry for himself.” Holderfield and the rest of the pitching staff were on short duty due to the offensive explosion behind them, resulting in two seven inning contests being played.
In the opening game of Monday’s matinee, the Hoosiers took it 14-2. Indiana tied together 15 hits, in stringing 14 runs on the board. Korbyn Dickerson led the way with three hits and four RBIs on the outing. The outfielder has held a stellar batting average of .388 and now leads the conference in RBIs with 57. He spoke on it postgame:
“I typically find more success attacking pitches early in the counts and trying to get ahead.” In the offseason, Dickerson credits his coaching staff. “We made a lot of good adjustments to my swing, and the power has always been there.”
The Louisville transfer showed off that strength going to the opposite field for a blast in the series finale in which Indiana produced 18 runs. Somehow, Dickerson’s 4-5, 3 RBI day isn’t the most appealing on the stat sheet.
Freshman two-way player Caleb Koskie was etched into the starting lineup for the first time and made the most of his opportunity. Originally brought in as a pitcher, Koskie tips his skillset on the mound to a plan at the plate. He mentioned that the pitching side gives him a better idea of what could possibly be coming.
Koskie roped a grand slam to right field for his first career hit while sporting the cream and crimson. Later on, he pulled a 2-RBI single through the left side of the infield to grab six runs batted in to his name.
In continuation of first-timers, freshman third-baseman Will Moore smacked a long ball for his first career homer. Infield mate Tyler Cerny joined the home run club with a mammoth shot over the left field bullpen.
Between Cerny, Koskie, and Dickerson, the trio combined for 12 RBIs in the series sweep over Michigan State. Indiana finished with an 18-2 advantage on the scoreboard.
Jeff Mercer’s club, sitting in the top half of the Big Ten, hopes to keep the momentum rolling into Tuesday’s midweek meeting with Ball State. They look to counter the matchup game with right-hander Jackson Yarberry and southpaw Deron Swanson slated to pitch. It will be Indiana’s fourth game in three days. First pitch at Bart Kaufman Field is set for 6:00 pm.