Indiana's Tyler Cerny Suspended For Violating NCAA Celebration Rules Against Kentucky

Indiana second baseman Tyler Cerny has been suspended for Sunday's regional championship game for violating an NCAA celebration rule. He brought Indiana's home run chain onto the field after Peter Serruto's three-run home run in the seventh inning of Indiana's 5-3 win over Kentucky on Saturday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Indiana will be without starting second baseman Tyler Cerny for Sunday's regional championship game at Kentucky Proud Park.

Cerny will serve a one-game suspension for violating NCAA celebration rules during Saturday's 5-3 win over Kentucky. The news was first reported by Carl James of iubase.com.

Following Peter Serruto's three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, which turned out to be the game-winning hit, Cerny brought Indiana's home run chain onto the field. Cerny was ejected from the game.

Per the NCAA rules, "After a home run, scoring play or at the end of an inning, teams shall not bring celebratory props onto the field of play. Any such props must remain in the dugout."

Indiana's Tyler Cerny (8) was ejected from the game after he carried an IU prop -- the IU logo on a chain -- onto the field as the Hoosiers celebrate Peter Serruto's three-run homer in the seventh. The Hoosiers defeated Kentucky 5-3 Saturday night in the 2023 NCAA Regional at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington :: Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Last night, down 3-1 to Kentucky bottom 7th, IU’s Peter Serruto hit a 3-run HR to give the Hoosiers the lead.

IU’s Tyler Cerny brought out the “Crimson Chain” to celebrate.

Cerny was ejected for taking the prop outside the dugout.

Baseball is fun? pic.twitter.com/O6ZK1IPV6T

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) June 4, 2023

Cerny has had a productive freshman season for the Hoosiers. Through Saturday's game, he has a .276 batting average, .350 on-base percentage and a .493 slugging percentage. Cerny is tied for second among Hoosiers with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases, and he's sixth on the team with 43 RBI.

Without Cerny, Indiana will likely play sophomore Evan Goforth at second base. Goforth replaced Cerny in the eighth inning of Saturday's game, and he's played 14 games with six starts this season. Goforth has one hit in 16 at-bats this season.

First pitch of Sunday's regional championship game is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Indiana plays the winner of Kentucky and West Virginia. 

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