Lineup powers Hoosiers to 9-3 win over Butler

On Wednesday Indiana hosted Butler in their second midweek contest of the season. The Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead, scoring a pair of runs on a wild pitch and a passed ball in the top of the second inning. Indiana responded in a big way in the bottom of the third as junior outfielder Matt Gorski sent a pitch over the left field fence to give the Hoosiers a 3-2 lead.

Matt Gorski hits a three-run homer to left field in the bottom of the third inning on Wednesday. The run gave Indiana the lead.

After the second inning slip-up the IU pitching staff was solid over the final seven innings of the game. Relievers Andrew Saalfrank, Connor Manous, and Braydon Tucker combined to throw five innings of one-run baseball, allowing just four hits and striking out three hitters as a group. Freshman starter Gabe Bierman, who ended up being credited for the win, ended his first start at Bart Kaufman Field after four innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out four batters.

In the seventh inning Indiana blew the game open by scoring four runs. A solo homer to left field by senior outfielder Logan Kaletha scored one for the Hoosiers and then senior catcher Ryan Fineman brought in a trio of runs with a double in his only at-bat of the game.

Senior outfielder Logan Kaletha on how it feels to get back on the winning side of things

The offensive production was a welcome sight for Indiana, as they struggled over the weekend against Tennessee. After getting swept by the Volunteers the Hoosiers have now won back-to-back games heading into what should be a big weekend.

IU will play a trio of games in South Carolina as a part of the Coastal Carolina Tournament this weekend. On Saturday they’ll take on Northeastern and UConn and then on Sunday they’ll close out their southern swing against the host Chanticleers.