Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Hoosiers hopes of NCAA College World Series run ends in elimination game in Lexington

By Jordan Maly

Jun 24, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Baseball before the contest between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Baseball before the contest between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana was hoping to extend their run in the NCAA Baseball Tournament but came up short on Sunday afternoon. The Hoosiers were eliminated after a 14-9 loss to Kentucky.

The Hoosiers entered the weekend playing their third consecutive game in as many days. After a Friday night opening round loss to North Carolina State in 12 innings, the Hoosiers toppled Ohio on Saturday to extend their season. Their opponent, the Kentucky Wildcats, held the upper hand in the regular season outing between the two.

Kentucky starter Zach Thompson was hitting on all cylinders against the Hoosiers once again. Thompson started the game against the Hoosiers at the end of the regular season, dominating his way to a 5-2 victory at home. Thompson went seven innings giving up four earned runs and striking out seven.

Freshman starter Cal Krueger only lasted three and a third giving up seven hits and four earned runs. The offense for the Hoosiers came to a halt and was held to just one run in the first six innings of the game. The Wildcats added six runs in the sixth inning and the put away grand slam in the eighth off of Indiana’s Luke Stephenson.

The Indiana Hoosiers season will still be looked upon as a successful one. The Hoosiers reaching the NCAA Tournament for their fourth time in five seasons. Indiana will be losing five seniors including second baseman Tony Butler, outfielder Craig Dedelow, outfielder Alex Krupa, infielder Austin Cangelosi and relief pitcher Luke Stephenson.

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Dedelow was one of the most productive players for the Hoosiers in his four years. Dedelow tied former Indiana baseball star and now Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber for most home runs in a season with the Hoosiers at 18. Dedelow was drafted in round No. 34 by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 and hopes to increase his draft stock this year. While his average dipped from his previous two seasons (.302 to .254), his slugging percentage, home runs and RBIs were at a career high.

Indiana’s Matt Lloyd, Logan Sowers and Luke Miller could hear their names called in this year’s MLB Draft. Depending on if and where they will be drafted, they could end up returning for another season with the Hoosiers. For the most part, the Hoosiers will stay intact for the 2018 season and could provide for another entertaining run.

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Another major win for the Indiana program includes host the Big Ten Tournament this season. Bart Kaufman Field, which debuted in March 2013, was put on the regional stage for the Big Ten for the first time. The Hoosiers capped the tournament off with another appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Hoosiers have host two regional weekends in the past few seasons and now add a Big Ten tournament to their resume. The 2018 season and beyond is one of excitement and opportunity for the Indiana Hoosiers.

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