Bring out the brooms in Waco! For the first time since 2007, the Indiana Hoosiers have swept a three-game weekend series over a non-conference opponent on the road.
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach February 25th, 2024
photos by Mike Foley, used with permission
Following Saturday’s 6-1 victory in which all nine batters registered a hit, the Hoosier bats stayed red hot, early and often. In the first inning, Devin Taylor smacked a two-run shot, his first of two long balls on the afternoon. He later tagged another home run to left-centerfield, his third of the weekend, highlighting his 3-5, 4 RBI day, which brought his batting average up to a stunning .552.
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Baylor’s Jared Matheson was knocked out of the contest early, only throwing one inning, allowing two hits and three runs. His command was off, and the Hoosiers took advantage of free bases and defensive miscues. Those three runs allowed were capped off by Brock Tibbitts, who started today’s game at catcher, as he lifted one out of the ballpark for his first of the season.
Ethan Phillips topped the mound for his second start of the season, serving three innings of one-run ball but ran into some trouble in the fourth. After walking two Baylor batters, Jeff Mercer went to last season’s reliable option out of the bullpen, in Ryan Kraft.
Kraft entered the ballgame, inheriting two runners, allowing one to score, and stranding the bases loaded.
The Hoosiers grasped upon a 4-3 lead until mayhem ensued in the seventh.
After Devin Taylor’s fourth RBI on his opposite-field single, IU was handed two runs. Nick Mitchell, who made his debut in the cream and crimson, snagged his first RBI, a walk, as he finished the day hitting 1-3 in the designated hitter role. Joey Brenczewski was then hit by a pitch, extending the Indiana lead to 6-3.
The team effort snowballed, and Morgan Colopy dug into the batter’s box. A bench piece who started only 12 games last year has made it nearly impossible for Jeff Mercer to etch someone else’s name into the starting nine. Colopy put a drive into an elevated 0-1 fastball, blowing the game open with a grand slam. The Centerville, OH native now owns a team-leading four home runs on the young season, this one en route to a seven-run frame in the seventh inning.
The NCAA’s Ten-Run Rule was agreed upon prior to the matchup, and Indiana’s 15-5 lead became final after eight innings. Jack Moffitt came in with the bases loaded, and a strikeout and groundout bolstered the Hoosiers victorious.
IU gained their sixth straight win and now sports a 6-1 record to its name. After notching six sweeps last season, they get their first of the 2024 campaign, on the road against a BIG 12 opponent in the Baylor Bears.
The Hoosiers are back in action against Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Bart Kaufman Field.
Sunday’s Standouts:
- Devin Taylor: 3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI
- Brock Tibbitts: 2-3, HR, RBI
- Nick Mitchell (debut): 1-3, 2 BB
- Morgan Colopy: 3-5, HR, 5 RBI