CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Will Moore hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs, and the Indiana Hoosiers broke open a tight game with a six-run middle inning surge to defeat the Xavier Musketeers 10-4 on Wednesday at Marge Schott Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Hoosiers pound out 15 hits to improve to 3-5 this season. Xavier fell to 2-6.

The most important sequence of the game came in the top of the fourth and fifth innings, transforming a narrow 1-0 Indiana lead into a commanding 8-2 advantage. The Hoosiers sent nine men to the plate in the fourth, scoring four runs on three hits, two walks, and a hit batter. Jake Hanley and Brayden Crouse delivered RBI singles, while Moore and Ben Fry added run-scoring outs.

Indiana continued the onslaught in the fifth, adding three more runs. Hanley laced an RBI double, and after a pitching change, Moore drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run. This offensive outburst provided ample cushion for an Indiana bullpen that largely stifled the Musketeers’ lineup.

Moore, who entered the game hitting .214 with one RBI in his last five contests, was the catalyst. After striking out in his first at-bat and hitting into a double play in his second, the third baseman broke through with a crucial bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the fourth. His most significant blow came in the seventh inning, a two-run homer to left field that extended Indiana’s lead to 10-4 and sealed the victory.

Hanley also had a standout day at the plate, going 3 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Xavier, which finished with nine hits, scored its runs in sporadic fashion. The Musketeers plated a run on a sacrifice fly by Jack Hammond in the second. In the fourth, Luke Burdette scored on a wild pitch after singling and stealing a base. Their final rally came in the sixth when pinch-hitter Tommy Townsend ripped a two-run, ground-rule double to cut the deficit to 8-4, but they would get no closer.

The Indiana pitching staff, using seven hurlers, combined for 13 strikeouts. Gavin Seebold, Michael Sarhatt, and Xavier Carrera each contributed scoreless relief outings. Starter Ivan Mastalski allowed one earned run over 1 2/3 innings before the parade of relievers took over.

Xavier starter Ashton Chronister was effective in a brief outing, allowing one earned run on three hits over three innings while striking out two. The Musketeers’ bullpen, however, struggled to contain the Hoosiers’ lineup, issuing eight walks.

The final result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 4-3 Indiana victory and gave the Hoosiers a 54.2% probability to win.

Indiana next travels to face Western Kentucky for a four-game series beginning Thursday. Xavier begins a three-game series at Cal State Fullerton on Thursday.