Pitching pair proving tough for competition

Big Ten foes are running into trouble every Saturday when they have to face IU aces Zach Otte and Nick Vitielliss for the doubleheaders. Both are undefeated in Big Ten play, with three straight complete games.\n"Zach's velocity is good, and he developed confidence in the fall," Coach Bob Morgan said. "Nick is a guy with good movement on his fastball. He throws strikes and has good stuff."\nOtte shut out a powerful Michigan State lineup last weekend in a 1-0 pitchers' duel on his 23rd birthday. The senior lefthander improved to 6-1 on the season with a 1.61 ERA. He has struck out 32 batters, while walking only 14.\n"I think my biggest key has been the command I've had of my pitches," Otte said. "I've been able to get ahead in the count and get batters to hit my pitch. I've benefitted from great defense behind me all year. Many times this season I've gotten myself into a little bit of trouble and gotten out by the guys behind me rolling a double play."\nLast year Otte worked both as a starter and out of the bullpen. He credits his improvement to improved conditioning and his recovery from an elbow injury two years ago.\n"As a pitching staff we really stepped up our winter conditioning and throwing workouts," he said. "My surgeon told me that it would take two seasons back on the mound before I felt pain-free, and that has been the case for me."\nVitielliss pitched good enough Saturday to beat Michigan State 8-4. Earlier this year he shut out Illinois 4-0. The junior righthander is now 5-0 with a 3.35 ERA.\n"What's important for me is to get my off-speed stuff over because it sets up my fastball," Vitielliss said. "That's when I can bust my fastball inside and get easy outs. The defense behind me has made me feel very comfortable this year. Plus I know we're going to hit and score runs."\nLast year as a workhorse out of the bullpen, Vitielliss went 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA.\n"I feel more comfortable as a starter because I feel like I get stronger as I go on," he said. "Last year we felt we had to strike everybody out because we didn't score as many runs and our overall defense wasn't as good." \nThe Hoosiers (28-6, 8-4 Big Ten) return to action today with a rematch at Wright State (9-17). The Hoosiers won the last meeting 14-6 at Sembower Field in late March.