Indiana racks up double-digit runs, swipes five bases, and gets a strong bullpen boost in run-rule victory to open the series
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach April 17th, 2026, photos by Carl James
“The slug has really picked up, but I think the holistic offense has developed”
— Head Coach Jeff Mercer
Indiana Hoosiers 13, Abilene Christian Wildcats 3
Inning by inning details in the Live Game Blog | Box Score
On a night where Tony Neubeck had far from his best stuff, Indiana played a complete, multifaceted game behind him. The Hoosiers took game one of the non-conference series against Abilene Christian, 13-3, by way of the run rule.
By the time Hogan Denny’s second home run in as many at-bats landed, Indiana had already built a 4-0 cushion, part of an offensive avalanche that produced 11 runs before the fourth inning even began. Brayden Ricketts added a solo shot out of the nine-hole and later came back around as Indiana batted through the order in the third. Eight of nine hitters recorded a base knock, while Cole Decker led the charge with a four-hit, three-RBI night that set the tone early.
The production wasn’t just home run power. Indiana applied pressure in every phase, swiping five bases and capitalizing on mistakes. “The slug has really picked up, but I think the holistic offense has developed,” head coach Jeff Mercer said. “We were really good on the bases… just a really good offensive showing in total.”
That aggressiveness showed up all over the field. The Hoosiers took extra bags, forced wild pitches into runs, and stayed sharp situationally. “It was the best base running day we’ve had all year… honestly probably in a couple years,” Mercer added. “We were able to turn guys loose, and we’re athletic enough to do it.”
While the offense rolled, Neubeck had to grind. The left-hander battled through traffic most of the night, allowing two runs on five hits across four-plus innings. Four walks drove up his pitch count and forced an early exit in the fifth, but his ability to limit damage stood out. “You’re not going to be your best every weekend,” Mercer said. “Even when you’re not great, can you be competitive enough to give your team a chance to win? He did that.”
With Indiana sitting at a 17-21 record and holding a comfortable lead in the game, the biggest late bright spot came from freshman Kellen English. The right-hander pounded the zone, throwing 19 of his 25 pitches for strikes while striking out four over two innings. “He’s a special, special talent,” Mercer said. “When you can throw three pitches for strikes, it’s just hard on hitters.”
Indiana will look to carry the momentum into Saturday, when the Hoosiers return to Bart Kaufman Field for game two. Brayton Thomas gets the start after shifting up from his usual Sunday role, with first pitch set for 4 p.m.