Buckeye Bomb Squad: Ohio State Launches 2 More Homers Against Indiana to Lead the Nation with 89
The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the unmistakable sound of a baseball sailing deep into the Columbus sky — these have become familiar sensations for Ohio State baseball fans in the 2025 season. The Buckeyes, now widely referred to as the “Buckeye Bomb Squad,” have set the collegiate baseball world ablaze with their relentless display of power. On a cool spring evening at Bill Davis Stadium, the Buckeyes added yet another chapter to their storybook season by launching two more home runs in a statement win over Big Ten rival Indiana. With those blasts, Ohio State took sole possession of the national home run lead, sitting at an astounding 89 long balls on the season.
This power surge has not only electrified fans but also sent shockwaves throughout the NCAA. While the game against Indiana may have just been one in a series of conference matchups, its implications were profound. Not only did it reinforce Ohio State’s position atop the Big Ten standings, but it also cemented their reputation as the most dangerous offensive team in the country.
Against a tough Indiana pitching staff that came into the contest with a respectable team ERA, the Buckeyes showed no fear. In the third inning, junior slugger Marcus Hall stepped to the plate with the kind of confidence that can only be forged from months of consistent domination. On a 2-1 pitch, he unleashed a towering shot over the left-field wall that traveled an estimated 427 feet, igniting the home crowd and giving Ohio State the early lead. Hall’s homer was his 17th of the season, placing him among the top five nationally in that category and reinforcing his role as one of the nation’s premier power hitters.
Not to be outdone, freshman phenom Tyler Jenkins added another solo shot in the sixth inning, pulling a fastball into the right-field bullpen with lightning-quick hands. Jenkins, who began the season as a relatively unknown recruit, has emerged as a foundational piece of the Buckeye lineup. His 11th home run of the season was met with thunderous applause and a curtain call from the dugout — a rare occurrence in college baseball, but one that felt deserved given his unexpected rise.
While Hall and Jenkins grabbed the headlines in the box score, their success is indicative of a broader offensive philosophy that head coach Rob Vaughn has instilled in his squad. Vaughn, in his second year at the helm after being brought over from Maryland, has overseen a cultural transformation in Columbus. His emphasis on plate discipline, launch angle optimization, and data-driven approach to hitting has paid massive dividends. No longer content with just putting the ball in play, the Buckeyes are actively looking to do damage — and their numbers show it.
Through 38 games, Ohio State is averaging over 2.3 home runs per contest, a staggering pace by college baseball standards. Their slugging percentage is over .550, and they boast five players with double-digit home runs. The lineup is deep, dangerous, and unrelenting. Pitchers can no longer afford to pitch around one or two key hitters; every spot in the order represents a potential threat.
Even more impressively, the Buckeyes have managed to maintain this offensive onslaught without compromising their approach. Their strikeout rate is among the lowest in the Big Ten, and their walk rate continues to climb. This balance of patience and power has made them one of the most efficient and feared offenses in the NCAA.
The impact of Ohio State’s offensive success extends beyond just the numbers. The energy around the program is palpable. Attendance at Bill Davis Stadium has seen a sharp uptick, and the players have become local celebrities. It’s not uncommon to see kids at the ballpark wearing replica jerseys of Hall or Jenkins, hoping for an autograph or a selfie. The buzz has even reached the professional scouting community, with multiple MLB organizations sending evaluators to Ohio State games to get a closer look at the Buckeyes’ sluggers.
It’s worth noting that the transformation of the Buckeye offense hasn’t occurred in isolation. The coaching staff has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Assistant coach and hitting guru Matt Wetzel has been instrumental in implementing cutting-edge technologies, including high-speed cameras, bat sensors, and virtual reality simulations to help hitters fine-tune their swings. The result is a lineup that not only knows how to hit but understands why it hits — a key distinction in the modern game.
The players have embraced the data, not as a crutch but as a tool. They watch film religiously, study opposing pitchers, and engage in hitting labs between games. The attention to detail is apparent in their approach at the plate. Whether it’s adjusting to spin or staying on off-speed pitches, the Buckeyes consistently demonstrate the kind of mature, professional at-bats that win games in May and June.
While the long ball has been the defining feature of this team, it’s important not to overlook their contributions in other aspects of the game. Their baserunning is aggressive and intelligent, their defense has tightened up significantly from a year ago, and their pitching staff — though not as dominant as the offense — has held its own. Junior right-hander Carson Wilcox, for example, has emerged as a reliable Friday night starter, consistently giving his team quality innings and keeping games within reach for the offense to take over.
The Buckeyes’ win over Indiana marked their 11th victory in their last 13 games and pushed their record to 30-8 on the season. With just under a month remaining in the regular season, they now control their own destiny in the race for the Big Ten title. But more importantly, they’ve put themselves firmly in the conversation for a national seed in the NCAA Tournament — a distinction that would guarantee home-field advantage through the Super Regionals.
If there’s any question as to whether this style of play can translate into postseason success, look no further than recent College World Series trends. The last several champions — including LSU, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt — all featured potent lineups that could change the game with one swing. In that regard, Ohio State seems not only well-equipped to contend but perhaps destined to do something special.
There’s a swagger to this team, but it’s not arrogance. It’s the confidence that comes from preparation, trust in teammates, and belief in a shared goal. After the Indiana game, Hall was asked about the team’s home run lead and whether they were keeping track. He smiled and replied, “Of course we are. But we’re not chasing numbers. We’re chasing Omaha.”
That mindset — focused yet hungry — is what makes this team dangerous. They aren’t content with leading the nation in homers; they want to bring a championship back to Columbus. And with the way they’re playing, it’s hard to bet against them.
As the season continues, all eyes will be on the Buckeye Bomb Squad. Can they sustain this historic pace? Will their power travel into hostile regional environments? Can they weather the pressure of postseason baseball? These questions remain, but if the answers are anywhere near as explosive as their bats, then Ohio State is about to make a lot of noise — both figuratively and literally.
For now, the numbers speak for themselves. Eighty-nine home runs. Two more added against a quality Indiana team. First place in the national rankings for long balls. And perhaps, most importantly, a team that believes it’s only just getting started.