Following a 43-win season in 2023, Indiana baseball appeared destined for greatness. It was the second time in just four seasons that head coach Jeff Mercer had guided his team to an NCAA Tournament appearance, which also included a 37-win season in 2019 that saw the Hoosiers capture the Big Ten regular-season title.
However, three seasons later, the program has become a shell of its former self. Currently on a six-game losing streak, the Hoosiers are on pace to have their first losing season since 2022, and just their second in the past 20 seasons.
Whether you look at the seven one-run losses or the six blown leads in the seventh inning or later, Indiana has simply been unable to close out games in 2026. Bullpen issues, poor defense, untimely hitting and injuries have all played a factor in the Hoosiers’ regression this season.
The cream and crimson are now more than halfway through their season, and they have yet to record a road win in Big Ten play. That is simply astonishing for a team who was projected to finish well within the top half of the conference this season.
This recent six-game slump has sunken Indiana into dangerously deep waters, and their ability to reach the surface is dwindling by the day,
The one thing that was keeping the Hoosiers afloat through the first six weeks was their performance in midweek games, winning each of their first four in that category.
Indiana has now lost their past two midweek games, one to Indiana State at home, and the other to an 8-18 Evansville team on the road. Both of those losses were one-run defeats for Indiana, and they led in the seventh inning or later in both games.
When you factor in that a series sweep at the hands of Nebraska was sandwiched in between those two midweek defeats, and the past 10 days have been a nightmare for Mercer and company.
IU has nearly matched their loss total in conference play from 2025, and keep in mind that was a down year for the program in which they still finished eight games above .500.
This years’ team will be lucky to even reach the .500 mark. With three road series and another preseason Top 25 team (Louisville) still on the schedule, Indiana has their work cut out for them over the final month-and-a-half.
There’s no denying the Hoosiers have the talent to compete in the Big Ten and even nationwide. Jake Hanley is one of the best sophomores in the country, Hogan Denny’s bat has broken out in a big way and Cole Decker currently has a 13-game on-base streak.
With a home weekend series against Rutgers coming up starting at 6 p.m. Friday, the time is now for Indiana to begin its second-half turnaround in front of the home faithful.
