After four years without an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Indiana baseball program came out with a vengeance on Friday night in its 2023 tournament opener.

The Hoosiers took down West Virginia — the 2-seed in the region — 12-6. Despite the score, it was a one-run game entering the ninth inning until Indiana put up five runs in the top of the frame to secure the win.

After lead changes or ties for each of the first four innings, three straight runners reached base for Indiana in the fifth resulting in a three-run inning. That would cement the final lead change of the night.

With both pitching staffs struggling early on, both teams were able to get on base easily … and often. But, it was the Indiana baseball program with a clear advantage after. The Hoosiers were 5-of-18 (.278) with runners on base while West Virginia was just 3-of-14 (.214).

Indiana was also 3-of-13 with runners in scoring position while the Mountaineers were 0-of-11.

After giving up four runs through the first four innings, the IU pitching staff settled in nicely. It would give up just two runs in the final five innings, including just two hits in the final 3.1 innings.

Overall, Indiana struck out 12 batters — the third most in Indiana baseball NCAA Tournament history.

The bats were’t bad themselves, obviously. IU’s 12 runs were second most in its program’s NCAA Tournament history.

“We did a really good job of staying calm, staying collected in a big environment and finding a way,” Indiana baseball head coach Jeff Mercer said postgame. “You preach every day to the guys, the more fundamental team has the best opportunity to win outside of a heroic performance on the mound from one team or another.”

However, Indiana’s win didn’t come without some concern.

Ace pitcher Luke Sinnard — who became IU’s single-season strikeout leader on Friday — left the game after just two innings due to ‘discomfort’ in his arm. Mercer said it was for ‘precautionary reasons’, but any signifiant injury to the Second-Team All-Big Ten pitcher would be a huge hit to what had been an inconsistent pitching staff this season.

Despite the ups-and-downs, a win is a win. And now the Hoosiers head to a matchup with regional-host Kentucky on Saturday night. It’s a matchup from earlier this season when the Wildcats won 12-2.

As Mercer and Indiana know, this is a game that needs strong mental toughness. And for a young group who have never experienced the NCAA Tournament, battling from start to finish on Friday was key for the future success of this team — no matter how long they keep playing this postseason.

“We were able to come out on the right side of it today,” Mercer said. “… I’m really proud of the program for sustaining itself and being able to go back and compete at this level.”

First pitch on Saturday is set for 6:00 pm.

SEE ALSO: Indiana baseball an underdog to watch in NCAA Regional play

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The Indiana baseball program is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019 and is ready to make some noise.

The Hoosiers enter as the 3-seed in the Lexington Region and will face off against West Virginia in the opener. The other teams in the region are 1-seed Kentucky and then 4-seed Ball State.

While Indiana isn’t the favorite to come out of the region, it is a program that could sneak its way out.

According to 247Sports, the Indiana baseball program is one of the underdogs in NCAA Regional play.

“Yes, Indiana is the clear third-best team in this Regional. Yes, the Big Ten isn’t any good. But the Hoosiers are 41-18, played the best teams on their schedule competitively and are a tough No. 3 seed here behind No. 1 Kentucky and No. 2 West Virginia,” Robbie Weinstein wrote. “Iowa might be the more obvious Big Ten team to take, as the Hawkeyes got a favorable draw in a Terre Haute Regional that could go any direction between the top three seeds. That fact, however, means that Iowa isn’t a true underdog. Indiana is, and it’s one that has a chance to advance.”

It will be tough to get out of the region, however. In its only matchup with Kentucky this season, Indiana lost 12-2. Against Ball State, Indiana was 2-0 this season but only won by a combined four runs.

Indiana played seven other NCAA Tournament teams in the regular season and combined 6-11 against those programs.

The Hoosiers’ 41 wins were the most in the regular season since 2013 and the most in any season (regular + postseason) since 2018.

Right now, the odds for the Indiana baseball program to come out of the Lexington Region are at +390. Kentucky is the favorite playing as the home team and 1-seed.

The Lexington Regional takes place from June 2-5.

SEE ALSO: ‘The culmination of a lot of work’: Indiana baseball head coach Jeff Mercer discusses NCAA Tournament bid

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

The IU baseball program heard its name called on Monday’s NCAA Tournament Selection Show for the first time since 2019. Following its 40-win regular season, the Hoosiers received a 3-seed in the Lexington Region.

The Hoosiers face off against West Virginia in the opener. Kentucky is the host team as the 1-seed while Ball State rounds out the Lexington Regional.

Indiana’s 40 wins were the most in the regular season since 2013 and the most in any season (regular + postseason) since 2018.

After winning the Big Ten in his first season with the IU baseball program, head coach Jeff Mercer went the last three years without the same level of success. This season was a ‘culmination of a lot of work’.

“I was obviously really excited for the guys,” Mercer said following Monday’s Selection Show. “For most of the guys, this is their first time going. For so long, you’re trying to explain to the guys what it’s like and the process and what you have to do to be able to go through it … to have them be able to experience it and see it and have the satisfaction … it’s very rewarding … The culmination of a lot of work.”

IU baseball was one of three Big Ten teams in the tournament field (Maryland, Iowa).

Below is the full Q&A from Jeff Mercer.

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics.