Hoosiers to take on Grizzlies

After getting swept in four games series at Michigan last weekend, the baseball team is looking to get back to winning when they take on the Division-III Grizzlies of Franklin College Tuesday at Sembower field.\nThe Grizzlies are 11-4 and are ranked seventh in the Midwest region by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball poll for the first time since joining the NCAA Division III. Franklin holds a team batting average of .310, a team fielding percentage of .952 and a team ERA of 2.15.\nFranklin is lead offensively by junior designated hitter Tony Sonsini, batting .412 with six doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs. Junior left hander Josh Adams leads the Grizzly rotation with a 3-0 record, three complete games and a 2.17 ERA in 29 innings pitched.\nDespite not winning a game last weekend against the Wolverines, the Hoosiers said they feel they played well enough to win and hope to do so today.\n"Some breaks didn't go our way," junior first baseman Gibran Hamdan said. "Sure, we didn't make enough plays, but we didn't play bad as a team. I think getting back out in any capacity and trying to get a win and trying to get some confidence will help us."\nRed-shirt sophomore and third baseman Nick Evans said team morale was down, but getting out on the field against the Grizzlies is important for the Hoosiers.\n"We're anxious to get back out and play again and correct some of those mistakes we made this weekend," Evans said. "Everyone knows what they need to do, and as long as we do those things, I think we'll be all right."\nJunior shortstop Eric Blakeley said the team hit the ball well, but the Hoosiers need to start over to be more successful down the road. \n"We wanted to take three out of four (against Michigan), but we came out with a goose egg," he said. "We just need to erase the slate now and just kind of start over."\nEvans said one of the Hoosiers' problems was getting runners across the plate. \n"We need to capitalize on our opportunities offensively," Evans said. "Pitching came out and did a good job this weekend, for the most part.\n"As long as (the pitching staff) continues to improve, and we begin to capitalize on our opportunities, we'll be pretty successful for the rest of the season as long as we can do that," he said.\nToday's game is the last one at home for IU as it takes off on a five-game road trip Wednesday against Wright State and this weekend at Northwestern. The Hoosiers' next home game is April 20 against Eastern Kentucky.\nEvans said today's game could be the start of good things to come for the Hoosiers.\n"The main thing is we're looking to starting a new winning streak here and see what happens the rest of the way as far as the Big Ten and the rest of the season," he said.\nThe Hoosiers are facing a string of injuries. Freshman outfielder Brian Bucciarelli is sitting on the bench and the team has lost two of its freshmen catchers. Freshman Josh Romero was hit in the eye with a racquetball and might require surgery to reduce swelling. Freshman Cody Wargo has a broken finger after it was hit by a baseball. \nHamdan said the team needs to look past the injuries, get out on the field and focus on the game. He said if they do that, he believes they will pick up some wins.\n"If we focus back on doing those little things, that will help us see the big picture and win a little more games," Hamdan said. "Maybe tomorrow will help us do that, just refocus on what wins games and try to stay with those"