Hoosiers Say Hello to Win Column, Roll vs. Ragin Cajuns

By Chris Mycoskie

The Indiana Hoosiers earned their first victory of the season, beating Louisiana 12-4 on day two of the Karbach Round Rock Classic. IU put together a seven-run third inning, which provided a commanding lead they’d never relinquish.

“You could see us breakthrough and run away with it,” Indiana head coach Jeff Mercer said. “I was very excited and happy for them to see the fruits of their labor. I was impressed and proud of them.”

Sophomore center fielder Bobby Whalen led the Hoosiers offensively, going 2-for-5 with 3 RBI. Right fielder Morgan Colopy and left fielder Carter Mathison provided 2 RBI a piece. Home runs came from Colopy and catcher Matthew Ellis, who provided a monster shot in the 2nd inning. His solo dinger went about three-quarters up the right field berm.

“As a team, I think we’ve been grinding pitchers throughout the whole season,” Whalen said. “It just hasn’t gone our way. We just haven’t got those timely hits that we had today. We’re hitting balls hard. It felt really good.”

Starting pitcher Jack Perkins earned the win. He went five innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out seven Ragin’ Cajuns and walked four, throwing 101 pitches.

“This team has earned it,” Perkins said. “We worked our butts off. Each game, we find a way to get better. We’re starting to add those things together. You’re seeing the outcome of that today, beating a really good regional team. It’s just the beginning.”

Louisiana sent seven pitchers to the mound, with starter Peyton Havard receiving the loss. He lasted two innings, giving up four runs (three earned) and five hits. Offensively, shortstop Kyle DeBarge, first baseman Mason Zambo, third baseman Jack Clark, and right fielder Wil Veillon drove runs home.

“It’s one game in extreme conditions,” Louisiana head coach Matt Deggs said following a contest that featured temperatures hovering in the 30s with a light drizzle falling throughout. “I’m not going to read too much into it.”

Saturday’s second game at Dell Diamond, pitting Arkansas against Stanford, was postponed due to field conditions.