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

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.

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