In-state rivals duel for win

IU is taking a small break from the rigorous Big Ten schedule to face in-state rival Indiana State. The Hoosiers (18-9, 2-2 Big Ten) are looking for another tune-up before the heavy stretch of Big Ten play resumes this weekend.\nIU coach Bob Morgan said the team is using this game as a springboard back into Big Ten play.\n"Our goal every time out is just to get better," Morgan said. "We want to improve upon some things, play with a lot of energy and emotion. We just want to get into a rhythm because baseball's the type of game where you need rhythm."\nThe Sycamores (6-17, 0-4 Missouri Valley Conference) are off to a disappointing start this season after posting winning records the past two seasons. After going 6-9 in the first 15 games, ISU has almost fallen off the face of the earth, losing its last eight games in a row.\nSenior outfielder Ryan Donley said the team likes games in the middle of the week because they help prepare players who otherwise wouldn't receive much playing time.\n"We use the mid-week games to pretty much get guys ready for conference play," Donley said. "I guess Indiana State really doesn't matter. We're just focused on conference games."\nWhile the Sycamores' record may show they don't matter much, they still have some players that do. The ISU offense is led by senior infielder Josh Prickett. Prickett currently leads the Sycamores in batting average (.409), home runs (5) and RBIs (23) and is tied for the lead in runs scored.\nThe problem for ISU seems to lie in its pitching staff. No Sycamore pitcher currently has a winning record, and only one pitcher on their entire staff has an ERA less than 3.00.\nIU junior infielder Corby Heckman said the Hoosiers can't look past the Sycamores and concentrate on the weekend -- yet.\n"I think tomorrow's game will be a good experience to help us get ready for the weekend," Heckman said. "They're a good team. I think they've beat us the past two years, so we just need to focus on tomorrow's game before we move on to the weekend. We have to try to beat these guys because they're our in-state rival. I'm tired of getting beat by them."\nThe Hoosiers have the edge in the overall series, 38-30, since the teams first began playing each other in 1914. The game will be in Terre Haute and is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. \n-- Contact staff writer Cory Steger at csteger@indiana.edu.