Indiana
Even in new role as starter, Indiana baseball’s Connor Foley still plans to ‘attack’
The first part of learning anything, Indiana baseball head coach Jeff Mercer said, is to be aware.
Sophomore pitcher Connor Foley knows he was over reliant on his fastball last season. Still, the righty hurler emerged as a weapon out of the bullpen, especially in the postseason.
Foley — a Jasper, IN native — became an arm the Hoosiers could turn to in clutch situations. And with the imposing 6-foot-5 Foley mowing down batters from his perch on the mound, those decisions were often rewarded.
“Last year I came into games just trying to attack, attack,” Foley said. “I had like one pitch — it was just throwing it by guys hopefully.”
For the most part, that plan succeeded. Foley’s flamethrowing fastball topped out just under triple digits on the radar gun as a freshman and settled comfortably in the mid 90s, giving him a velocity that would be viable even in the majors.
In 29 innings tossed as a freshman, all of which came in relief, Foley accumulated a 3.72 earned run average and logged 42 strikeouts. He authored a nine-out save against Michigan State May 20, and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames against the University of Kentucky in the NCAA Regional June 3, the latter featuring a bases-loaded escape act in the seventh inning.
Foley had no trouble getting amped up for those opportunities. With the ‘attack’ mentality preached incessantly by pitching coach Dustin Glant, Foley craved the chance to have the ball in his grasp with a game on the line.
“I love being in those situations,” Foley said. “I want the ball in those situations as a lot of people do.”
Instead of relieving starters, Foley will be tasked with making Indiana’s bullpen’s life easier. Mercer said Jan. 26, Foley is in the mix for the top spot in the starting rotation alongside sophomore Brayden Risedorph, juniors Ryan Kraft and Jack Moffitt and redshirt senior Ty Bothwell.
Being charged with laboring four or five innings at a time won’t change Foley’s menacing approach on the mound. He said his arm is in good enough shape to maintain his velocity through higher pitch counts.
Still, Foley won’t have the luxury of being a wildcard for opponents this season. Unlike last year, there will be scouting reports. Teams will be prepared to face him — and ready to face his fastball.
“He’s not going to surprise anybody anymore,” Mercer said. “He’s gonna have to be more adjustable. The big thing is that coach Glant just forced him to get that off-speed out of his hand a ton.”
Mercer, Foley, Risedorph and several other players stood in the outfield watching Indiana’s scrimmage Jan. 31. Foley and Risedorph arrived in Bloomington together before last season with relatively undefined roles.
The two became significant contributors during their debut campaigns as Hoosiers. The conversation in the outfield turned to their development, and how much they’ve grown in a year’s time.
Mercer said the two pitchers were making fun of themselves, laughing about where they started. With junior Luke Sinnard — the ace of Indiana’s staff last year — out for the season due to an elbow injury, Foley will have to aid in recouping that production.
Throughout the fall, in scrimmages against Indiana State University and the University of Notre Dame, Foley incorporated a sizable dose of off-speed pitches. He mixed in a slider and changeup as supplementary offerings, and Mercer said he went to those pitches 50– to 60% of the time in those exhibitions.
Junior pitcher Grant Holderfield witnessed that evolution from the start.
“I’ve really seen him take a big stride in his game,” Holderfield said. “He’s able to manage, but also get a second and third pitch.”
Part of that expansion stemmed from dueling with teammates in practice. Indiana’s lineup features some of the most fearsome bats in the conference, including sophomore standout Devin Taylor and the junior trio of Carter Mathison, Josh Pyne and Brock Tibbitts.
Taylor garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten honors last season, setting Indiana’s freshman RBI record with 59. Pyne and Tibbitts appeared on All-Big Ten teams as well while Mathison mashed 10 homers — tied for second on the team — and drew a team-high 41 walks.
Throughout the 2023 season, opposing pitchers had enough on their hands dealing with the Hoosiers’ potent array of hitters. Foley, who knows them better than anyone, understands how beneficial that experience is.
“If we can get through our lineup, we can get through pretty much any lineup in the country,” Foley said.
The pitching staff might say the word “attack” roughly 20 times a day, Foley said. It’s become the unquestioned mantra of the group, and something Glant has meticulously engrained in his pitchers.
There’s a philosophy within that message that goes beyond mere aggression. Some of that approach means pounding the strike zone and limiting walks, because at the end of the day, Foley said he knows he controls the game’s outcome.
By forcing hitters into contact, Foley and the other pitchers can eliminate opportunities for a lineup. So much of what Glant and Mercer preach is about reducing traffic on the bases and dealing with the solo home runs as they come.
How can they make that happen? Attack.
“So much of our life is either prohibited or inhibited by our mentality and our attitude,” Mercer said. “As an across-the-board kind of motto is they talk about attacking and being the aggressor in the count.”
Until Foley steps on the bump for his first regular season start, it’s hard to gauge exactly how far he’s come in developing his new arsenal. Mercer and Holderfield raved about the off-speed additions and how they’ll pair with Foley’s scorching fastball.
Still, games are different. There will most likely be fluctuation as he adjusts to his new role, meaning the hits and home runs will come.
Mercer isn’t scared of that possibility — he knows Foley will get beat occasionally. But the only way he can improve, and maybe become the ace this year’s Indiana team needs, is to persevere.
“You gotta let him cook a little bit,” Mercer said. “Someone’s gonna homer one, and he’s gonna have to get back up there and do it again. That’s the only way that he’s really gonna grow.”
Follow reporters Matt Press (@MattPress23) and Nick Rodecap (@nickrodecap) for updates throughout the Indiana baseball season.
Indiana football’s Curt Cignetti raises concerns over costs
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is speaking out on rising roster costs. Cignetti says players should get paid, but universities can’t handle it.
Josh Hoover is replacing a guy who won the Heisman Trophy while leading Indiana football to a national championship. No pressure there, right?
Being the guy who replaces the guy brings Hoover the distinction as the top college football transfer entering the 2026 season, according to Billy Tucker of ESPN.
The Hoosiers have four players on this 100-player list, three of them in the top 20.
According to the story: “Each player is ranked based on a team’s need and what physical skill set they bring to their new team.”
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Need: “With Fernando Mendoza off to the NFL and backup Alberto Mendoza having transferred to Georgia Tech, the Hoosiers needed another experienced passer capable of sustaining College Football Playoff expectations in Bloomington. Indiana has become one of the portal’s premier destinations for quarterbacks, and Hoover, who transferred from TCU, is next in line after Kurtis Rourke and national champion and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.”
Value: “Hoover gives (coach) Curt Cignetti extensive experience, skill and production after throwing for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns at TCU. He is a confident gunslinger who thrives pushing the ball vertically and operating within RPO concepts. His swagger and aggressiveness should unlock explosive plays through the air, albeit with some volatility. Hoover has 42 career turnovers and only one season without double-digit interceptions.”
No. 11: Nick Marsh, Indiana wide receiver
Need: “Marsh is a proven No. 1 receiver as the Hoosiers transition to a new era at the position after Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt moved on to the NFL. They couldn’t afford to wait on a younger, more projectable receiver. Marsh instead is a ready-made top target and established focal point. He should be the clear primary receiving option.”
Value: “A former ESPN 300 recruit, Marsh led Michigan State in receiving in back-to-back seasons, totaling 100 catches for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-3, 203 pounds, he brings Big Ten-ready size paired with vertical speed, allowing him to win downfield and on contested 50-50 opportunities. He is effective as a deep threat and as a physical receiver who can work through contact. Cignetti saw Marsh’s ability up close. He had 12 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns across two games against Indiana, reinforcing his ability to elevate the passing attack immediately.”
No. 18: Tobi Osunsanmi, Indiana edge rusher
Need: “Adding Osunsanmi, a Kansas State transfer, will help Indiana reload for its national title defense. The Hoosiers lost Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, creating a clear need along the defensive front. Osunsanmi is an ideal plug-and-play addition. The versatile pass rusher should translate fluidly to defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ scheme.”
Value: “Osunsanmi suffered a season-ending injury that forced him to miss the second half of last season, but he flashed during the spring, creating havoc up front. He brings a strong combination of speed and power to pressure offensive tackles. His power allows him to play stout at the point of attack, set the edge or walk blockers back into the backfield to collapse the pocket. He also has the quickness and agility to win on loops and stunts, along with a motor that shows up in pursuit outside the box.”
Need: “The Hoosiers lost their two leading rushers from last season’s championship team with running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, who combined for 2,160 yards, off to the NFL. Though they return two other productive backs in Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr., they also added production in the transfer portal with Richard, a Boston College back with a scheme-fitting skill set. The 5-8 rusher didn’t have many Power 4 offers out of high school, but one of the first programs to offer him was James Madison when Cignetti was at the helm.”
Value: “Richard had a very productive season in 2025 with 749 yards on the ground. He has a compact build that helps him play with a low center of gravity and the ability to break tackles. His running style is patient as he has a good feel to cut off the backside of blocks. He runs behind his pads and finishes runs with good demeanor. As a receiver out of the backfield, he also provides a reliable checkdown option. Cignetti noted that he liked what Richard did this spring as he will have the opportunity to be impactful and a reliable option at running back for an Indiana team that is looking to repeat.”
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Two future Boilermakers are taking the floor and will go head-to-head during Indiana All-Star Week. 2026 signee Luke Ertel and 2027 commit Isaiah Hill are battling it out on Wednesday, June 3, as the Indiana All-Stars will play the Indiana Junior All-Stars.
Wednesday will be the third time Ertel and Hill have played against each other this season. During the IHSAA basketball season, Ertel’s Mt. Vernon team took on Hill’s Pike squad twice.
Hill led the Red Devils to an 84-81 overtime victory during the regular season. In the Regional of the Class 4A IHSAA Basketball Tournament, Ertel guided Mt. Vernon to a 57-54 overtime victory. The Marauders went on to win the state championship.
Who will win the third and decisive battle between the future Boilermakers on Wednesday? Here’s the information necessary to watch the game.
How to watch the Indiana All-Star Game
- What — Indiana Junior All-Stars vs. Indiana All-Stars
- When — Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- Where — Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Ind.
- Tipoff time — 8 p.m. ET (approx.)
- Ticket price — $15
- Stream — ISC Indiana Sports Network YouTube Channel
Hill participated in Indiana-Kentucky Jr. All-Star Game
Wednesday night’s Junior-Senior All-Star Game will be the second time Hill has competed during Indiana All-Star Week. The Pike star and five-star center also played in Sunday’s Indiana-Kentucky Junior All-Star Game.
Hill put together a solid performance, scoring 15 points, grabbing a team-high seven rebounds and recording three blocks. His efforts helped lead Indiana to a 109-99 victory over Kentucky.
Ertel and the Indiana All-Stars have not yet played during Indiana All-Star Week, with their first game scheduled for Wednesday against the Junior All-Stars. Then, to close out the week, Ertel will participate in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Series, with games being played in Lexington and Indianapolis.
Ertel, Hill highly rated recruits in respective classes
There’s already plenty of hype surrounding Ertel and Hill, both players who are highly-ranked recruits in their respective classes.
Ertel is the top-ranked player from Indiana in the 2026 recruiting class and is considered a top-50 prospect by 247Sports. He was named Indiana Mr. Basketball, averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in his senior season at Mt. Vernon.
Hill is a year younger, but became the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to play at Purdue. The 2027 product was a star at Pike High School during his junior season, averaging 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. He is a five-star prospect and ranked as the No. 10 player in the class, per ESPN.
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GASTON, Ind. (WKRC) – An Indiana man was accused of sexually assaulting a young homeless woman in a barn.
According to WXIN, 34-year-old Dale E. Bosworth was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a homeless 18-year-old woman in a barn after the two connected through social media.
WXIN reported that Bosworth picked up the woman on May 24 while visiting Kokomo, Indiana, and brought her back to his home after seeing a Facebook post in which she said she had no money and nowhere to stay.
Court documents obtained and reviewed by WXIN state that Bosworth and his wife picked up the woman in a truck around 10 p.m. and drove her to their home. The woman stayed the night and was later offered $100 to perform work in a barn in Delaware County.
According to WXIN, Bosworth drove the woman to a friend’s barn in Gaston, Indiana. While the two were alone, Bosworth allegedly asked if she wanted to “fool around.” The woman told law enforcement she did not respond to the question. Bosworth then allegedly began rubbing her back and unzipped his overalls.
WXIN reported that Bosworth is accused of sexually assaulting the woman until he heard a noise near the barn. He later allegedly told his friend that the woman was refusing to work and that he needed to take her back to his home.
During the drive back to Marion, Indiana, the woman used the “Texty” app to contact Grant County 911 and reported that she had been raped, according to WXIN.
Authorities in Grant County then contacted the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies later located and stopped Bosworth’s vehicle, per the report.
While being questioned by investigators, Bosworth reportedly admitted that the woman had stayed at his home. Court documents reviewed by WXIN state that he spent “well over 20 minutes” explaining how he came to be alone with the alleged victim while denying any sexual contact.
When asked whether his DNA would be found on the woman’s body, Bosworth allegedly admitted to certain sexual acts. According to WXIN, he told investigators that the woman “did not say yes or no” when he asked her to undress and engage in sexual intercourse, but claimed she “looked at him” when he asked.
Authorities said Bosworth later admitted to portions of the assault after initially providing false statements and reportedly told investigators that “cops freak him out,” according to the report.
Bosworth was arrested and charged with the following, per WXIN:
According to WXIN, investigators determined that Bosworth knowingly and intentionally caused the woman to submit to sexual conduct, which constitutes rape under Indiana law.
He is being held without bond at the Delaware County Jail, WXIN reported.
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