Indiana is sitting pretty in Lexington after knocking off top-seed Kentucky at the NCAA Regional on Saturday evening at Kentucky Proud Park.
The Hoosiers appeared to be in trouble after Kentucky posted two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 3-1 lead.
But batting from the nine hole, IU senior catcher Peter Serruto hit a three-run home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the seventh to give IU a 4-3 lead. Serruto battled back from an 0-2 count, ran it full, and deposited the opposite field shot into the IU bullpen.
Indiana would go on to win 5-3 over the host Wildcats, and the Hoosiers are now one win away from advancing in the NCAA Tournament.
❗️PETE 3-RUN HR❗️@pserruto_7 | #IUBase pic.twitter.com/MTMirzREkI
— Indiana Baseball (@IndianaBase) June 4, 2023
Phillip Glasser hit the first pitch of the game over the centerfield wall to get IU off to a quick start.
But the Hoosiers were held scoreless until Serruto’s seventh-inning blast.
Kentucky tied the game at one in the second, and a throwing error by IU second baseman Tyler Cerny on a potential double-play ball led to two UK runs in the top of the seventh.
The Hoosiers added an insurance run in the ninth when a wild pitch brought home Devin Taylor after he singled to center and advanced to third on a Brock Tibbitts single to center and a Kentucky error.
Kentucky had two near-miss three-run home runs that would have given them the lead in the top of the ninth, but Connor Foley was able to close things out from the mound to earn the win.
Indiana is now 2-0 in the double-elimination regional round, while Kentucky and West Virginia are 1-1. Ball State was eliminated on Saturday.
On Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, IU will face the winner of a Kentucky and West Virginia matchup that takes place earlier in the day. If the Hoosiers win they’ll advance to the NCAA Super Regional. If they lose, they’ll get a second chance to advance on Monday.
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