Indiana baseball wrapped up its four-game series with Western Kentucky on Sunday. After dropping two of the first three games in the set, Indiana needed a win Sunday to salvage a split of the trip. The Hoosiers secured the split with a 7-3 win over the Hilltoppers.
Indiana got out to a hot start in the series finale, putting up three runs in the first inning. A leadoff hit-by-pitch, followed by a walk, set up redshirt freshman designated hitter Brayden Ricketts up to do some early damage.
He quickly took advantage by depositing a three-run homer to right, giving Indiana the early 3-0 lead. The Hoosiers tacked on another run in the top of the third inning with an RBI groundout by freshman second baseman Landen Fry.
Western Kentucky was able to pick up a run in each of the third and fourth innings, but Indiana entered the sixth inning leading 4-2.
Ricketts improved upon that lead, driving in redshirt junior outfielder Ayden Crouse with a double to left field. Ricketts later advanced to third, only to be driven in by sophomore utility man Hogan Denny to make the lead 6-2 in favor of the Hoosiers.
As if Ricketts’ day couldn’t get any better, he put the finishing touches on the afternoon with his second homer of the day, this time a solo shot to right field that gave the Hoosiers a 7-2 lead. The redshirt freshman ended his day 3-for-3 driving in five runs, with a pair of walks and a pair of homers as well.
The bullpen locked things down in the eighth and ninth innings, giving Indiana a much needed 7-3 win ending its road trip.
Senior right handed pitcher Jackson Bergman got the win, throwing five innings, allowing just five hits, two runs, one earned, and striking out four.
The Hoosiers return home for a five-game home stand, beginning with Northern Kentucky at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Bart Kaufman Field in Bloomington. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
