BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — May 21, 2025 — The Indiana Hoosiers are headed back to the Big Ten Baseball Tournament after wrapping up the 2025 regular season with a 31-23 overall record and a 14-16 mark in conference play. The Hoosiers have secured the No. 6 seed in the eight-team field and will look to build on last year’s semifinal run in Omaha.
Despite a season marked by ups and downs, head coach Jeff Mercer’s squad showed resilience throughout the spring, highlighted by key series wins over Michigan State, Iowa, and Northwestern. The Hoosiers entered the final weekend of Big Ten play needing a strong performance to solidify their tournament hopes, and they delivered with a crucial road series victory over Illinois.
“Our guys have battled all season long,” Mercer said. “We’ve had some adversity, but the team kept showing up and competing. I’m proud of the way we finished the regular season and excited to see what we can do in Omaha.”
The Hoosiers’ 14-16 conference record placed them in a tight cluster of teams vying for the final few seeds in the tournament. Thanks to favorable head-to-head results and a strong RPI, Indiana edged out Minnesota and Rutgers for the No. 6 spot.
Indiana has leaned heavily on a talented core of veterans and emerging young players. Junior outfielder Carter Mathison led the team in batting average and home runs, while freshman pitcher Tyler Haskins emerged as a reliable weekend starter, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors twice during the season. Veteran arms like Luke Sinnard and Connor Foley provided stability on the mound, while the bullpen improved significantly in the second half of the season.
“Pitching and defense have really come together down the stretch,” said Mercer. “When we execute in those areas, we can play with anyone in this league.”
The Hoosiers now turn their attention to the Big Ten Tournament, which returns to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. As the No. 6 seed, Indiana will face the No. 3 seed in the opening round — a matchup likely to feature a tough opponent such as Iowa or Nebraska, depending on final standings.
Last year, Indiana advanced to the tournament semifinals, upsetting higher-seeded teams and showcasing the program’s postseason potential. That experience, Mercer believes, could prove valuable again this time around.
“Tournament baseball is about momentum, and we learned that firsthand last year,” Mercer said. “If we play our brand of baseball — aggressive on the bases, solid on the mound, and timely at the plate — we’ll have a chance to make another run.”
The 2025 Big Ten Baseball Tournament begins on Tuesday, May 21, with all games broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Indiana’s first-round game is scheduled for the early afternoon session, with starting pitchers expected to be announced shortly.
With a mix of experienced leadership and youthful talent, Indiana hopes to recapture last year’s magic and push for a Big Ten title — and potentially a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
