Indiana at Western Kentucky

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 9:08 a.m.:

As he was not used Saturday, we expect typical Sunday starter Jackson Bergman to toe the rubber for Indiana in their attempt to split the 4-game series with Western Kentucky.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 1:17 p.m.:

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 1:20 p.m.:

Lineup consistent with the last game.

Top of inning 1 with 0 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 3 runs | 1 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:09 p.m.:

Hit by pitch and walks sets up a Ricketts three-run bomb to open the game.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:11 p.m.:

Going off live stats for now until the audio feed with Austin Render gets fixed.

Hogan Denny also draws a walk.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:12 p.m.:

Jake Hanley grounds into a double play. Just when it looked like they were on the verge of something bigger, that is an inning killer.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:13 p.m.:

Cooper Malamazian adds a two out single. Trying to keep pressure on this starter.

End of top of inning 1 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 3 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 0 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:16 p.m.:

Landen Fry grounds into a fielder's choice to end the frame. Good inning from the Hoosiers to jump out early.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:18 p.m.:

The staff has stuck with Ricketts in the 3-hole besides a rough start to the season at the plate. Paying off now, and today the big-fly power comes.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:21 p.m.:

Bergman goes right after the lead-off hitter, but allows a hit on an 0-2 pitch. I'm okay with that because the agression to go after hitters will eventually allow them to turn to secondary chase pitches on occasion in those counts to get swing-and-miss striekouts.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:22 p.m.:

Another single puts Bergman in a jam, but Indiana also turns a double play. Chance to get out without damage here.

End of bottom of inning 1 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 3 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:24 p.m.:

Not stress-free, but Bergman escapes the first with no damage and 12 pitches.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:29 p.m.:

TJ Schuyler drew a 4-pitch, 1-out walk. Another chance for the top of the order here.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:31 p.m.:

Ayden Crouse struck out, but Schuyler gets to scoring position on a passed ball.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:33 p.m.:

Will Moore gets plunked on 3-1 pitch, bringing Ricketts up again with two on again. Will WKU let Dominic Monaco face him again?

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:34 p.m.:

Nope. RHP juco transfer Jacob O'Day takes over for Monaco.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:36 p.m.:

O'Day walks the bases loaded for Hogan Denny.

End of top of inning 2 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 3 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:39 p.m.:

Denny strikes out looking at 1-2 pitch. Three Hoosiers are stranded, but Indiana is already into the Tops bullpen.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:42 p.m.:

Bergman gets behind 3-1 but induces a groundout to short.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:43 p.m.:

5 balls / 3 strikes on the inning, but there are none on with two outs.

End of bottom of inning 2 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 3 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:45 p.m.:

And after being effectively wild, Bergman ends the frame with a three-pitch strikeout! Only 25 pitches. Easily on pace for 6 innings, which would be huge for the Hoosiers to limit bullpen exposure today.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:47 p.m.:

O'Day had a 1.76 WHIP coming in today's action with 4 appearances.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:48 p.m.:

Jake Hanley leads off with a double!

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:49 p.m.:

Malamazian moves Hanley to third with a single. Table is set for another crooked number.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:52 p.m.:

Junior RHP Ka'olu Holt is the new pitcher for the Tops. Holt has a 3.0 WHIP on the season allowing baserunners over a .500 clip.

Top of inning 3 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 2:58 p.m.:

Fry works an 0-2 count to 3-2, but bails the Tops out grounding into a double play. Hanley does score.

One thing about Holt, he is a strike-thrower with only a 5% walk rate.

End of top of inning 3 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 2 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3 p.m.:

Koskie strikes out. Double plays are keeping the game within reach for the Tops.

Bottom of inning 3 with 1 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

• Hilltoppers: 0 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:02 p.m.:

Lane Arroyas at the top of the Tops order has been a menace all weekend. Two on, one out as WKU has a threat of their own going.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:03 p.m.:

Bergman goes right after JP Accosta for a huge three-pitch strike out.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:04 p.m.:

An error by Landen Fry extends the inning and loads the bases.

Bottom of inning 3 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 4 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 1 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:06 p.m.:

A full count walk plates a WKU unearned run.

End of bottom of inning 3 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 4 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 1 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:12 p.m.:

A 3-2 groundout ends the frame. The error cost IU a run and (perhaps more importantly) 15 extra pitches. That's roughly another full inning the Hoosier bullpen will have to cover today.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:15 p.m.:

TJ Schuyler's bat is starting to heat up. He leads off with a single. Crouse bunt's Schuyler into scoring position with one out.

End of top of inning 4 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 1 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:20 p.m.:

Holt doesn't walk many, but the Tops aren't letting Ricketts beat them again. He draws a two-out walk. Denny grounds out stranding two runners.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:22 p.m.:

After plating the first three baserunners, the Hoosiers have stranded 6 and scored only once. I have a suspicion that it will take a lot more than 4 runs to win this contest.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:23 p.m.:

Since the error in the 3rd, Bergman has gotten into three straight full counts. Bullpen will likely be needed sooner than IU hoped.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:24 p.m.:

...and it's a lead-off walk. This is not a good situation so early in the game.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:25 p.m.:

Hit-by-pitch. Bergman may be done only 3.0 innings pitched and the tying run at the plate.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:26 p.m.:

Infield fly gets the first out.

Bottom of inning 4 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:33 p.m.:

A double steal sets up an RBI ground out.

End of bottom of inning 4 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:37 p.m.:

Bergman preserves the lead with a four-pitch strike out. That could have been a lot worse. Nice bounce-back after the free passes.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:38 p.m.:

Trey Reinburg is the new WKU pitcher. Another 3+ WHIP guy with a 5% walk rate, issues a free pass to Hanley to start the fifth inning.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:40 p.m.:

Hoosiers are threatening again. Malamazian draws a 7-pitch walk. Can the Hoosiers cash in a crooked number here?

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:41 p.m.:

Fry bunts both runners to scoring position. One down.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:42 p.m.:

Koskie down looking. 3-pitch strikeout.

End of top of inning 5 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 4 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:44 p.m.:

Nothing. Hoosiers get nothing out of that. 8 left on base now.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:45 p.m.:

Bergman is at 70 pitches starting the 5th. I assume the leash will be very short. Can he finish one more clean inning?

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:47 p.m.:

And WKU gets going with a lead-off infield single.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:48 p.m.:

2-pitch flyout

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:49 p.m.:

One pitch fielder's choice. Bergman has a chance to get through five here.

End of bottom of inning 5 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 4 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 5 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:52 p.m.:

Huge strikeout! Bergman gets through 5 innings allowing just 1 earned run! At 84 pitches I assume he's done (but not sure).

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:54 p.m.:

Top of the Hoosier order. Crouse leads off with a single. Indiana really needs to string activity together and produce some runs.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:56 p.m.:

Crouse steals second on a 1-1 pitch.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 3:57 p.m.:

Errant pick-off puts Crouse on third with no outs.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:03 p.m.:

Moore strikes out looking. WKU goes to Zach Lyles in the bullpen. Still a chance to score a run without needing a hit.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:04 p.m.:

Lyles has a 25% strikeout rate and a sub-1 WHIP. Hilltoppers want to prevent this run from scoring.

Top of inning 6 with 1 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 5 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 5 hits | 0 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:06 p.m.:

Ricketts drives in Crouse with an RBI double! Threat continues.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:06 p.m.:

Ricketts gets to third on a wild pitch.

Top of inning 6 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 6 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:08 p.m.:

Denny drives in Ricketts with a sacrifice fly. Lead back up to four runs.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:09 p.m.:

Hanley is plunked by an 0-2 pitch.

End of top of inning 6 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 6 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 5 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:10 p.m.:

Malamazian fouls out, but the Hoosiers get their second crooked number and lead by four.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:12 p.m.:

Bergman's day is done. He is in line for the win. Lefty Conner Linn takes the mound to hold the lead for Indiana.

End of bottom of inning 6 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 6 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 6 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:18 p.m.:

Linn works around a hit and a hit-by pitch, stranding two.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:21 p.m.:

Fry leads off the second with a single.

End of top of inning 7 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 6 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 6 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:26 p.m.:

Three contact outs strand Fry and take us to the stretch.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:31 p.m.:

One on, a three-pitch strike out is the second out of the inning. So many three-pitch strikeouts!

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:32 p.m.:

A two-out walk has Linn in a two-on jam.

End of bottom of inning 7 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 6 runs | 8 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:36 p.m.:

Linn escapes the jam with an infield line out. The lefty has put up two zeros.

Top of inning 8 with 1 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 7 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:41 p.m.:

Ricketts is on 🔥

Solo shot. His second homer of the day.

End of top of inning 8 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 7 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 2 runs | 7 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:44 p.m.:

Nothing more for the Hoosiers after the blast.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:46 p.m.:

Linn will stay on the bump for the 8th. My guess is they hope to get him to get through this inning and give Jackson Yarberry the 9th.

Bottom of inning 8 with 2 outs:

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 7 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 3 runs | 8 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:51 p.m.:

Daniel Stewart hits a two-out homer. Top of the order coming up. Linn has now gone a complete time through the order.

End of bottom of inning 8 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 7 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 3 runs | 8 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:53 p.m.:

Linn got Lane Arroyos to pop-up in the infield. Beyond ending the inning, getting past Arroyos before the 9th may be good.

End of top of inning 9 :

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 7 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 3 runs | 8 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:57 p.m.:

No more insurance as the Hoosiers go down in order in the ninth.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 4:59 p.m.:

In comes the closer: Jackson Yarberry on the bump, although this is not technically a save situation given the 4-run lead.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 5 p.m.:

Cole Decker is a defensive replacement for Caleb Koskie in left field.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 5:01 p.m.:

Acosta grounds out - one down.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 5:02 p.m.:

One out single.

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 5:04 p.m.:

Strikeout! Tops down to their last out.

End of bottom of inning 9 (FINAL):

Team Totals:

• Hoosiers: 7 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

• Hilltoppers: 3 runs | 9 hits | 1 errors

entry by Carl - March 1, 2026, 5:06 p.m.:

Yarberry ends it with a ground! Hoosiers win, split the series, and move to 5-7 on the season. See You at the Bart 5pm Tuesday!