IU drops 3 of 4 to Minnesota

The Hoosiers narrowly avoided being swept in their four-game series with Minnesota this weekend by defeating the Golden Gophers, 9-6, Sunday. Against just their second Big Ten opponent, the Hoosiers (19-12, 3-5 Big Ten) again had trouble swinging the bats in three of the four games.\nSophomore center fielder Reggie Watson said it was important for the Hoosiers to avoid the sweep.\n"Getting swept in your own place is never good, so getting this win was real good for us," Watson said.\nMinnesota (15-12, 5-3 Big Ten) held IU to just five hits in the series opener Friday. The Hoosiers struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning. The Golden Gophers settled quickly to score three runs in the third, taking the lead. IU wouldn't score another run throughout the rest of the game, giving Minnesota the 9-2 victory.\nSaturday saw the teams play a doubleheader of seven-inning games. In the first game, IU again struck first, but was then held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. The Hoosiers scored two runs to make it interesting, but the rally was soon squashed, giving the Golden Gophers an 11-3 win.\nThe second game of the doubleheader wasn't any kinder to IU. Minnesota pounded junior pitcher Brian Lortz in the first inning, scoring eight runs to take the early lead. Lortz was pulled after getting just one batter out. Freshman pitcher Matt Saba finished the rest of the game, giving up one run while striking out three batters. Saba held the Golden Gophers scoreless past the first inning, but the Hoosiers only managed to score two runs total, giving Minnesota the 8-2 win.\nWith their pride on the line, the Hoosiers needed a win Sunday to avoid being swept at home. Both teams remained scoreless through the first three innings, with the Hoosiers going hitless as well. The Golden Gophers then took charge of the game, scoring five runs in the fourth inning. The Hoosiers responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs with the help of a two-RBI single by senior shortstop Seth Bynum. IU continued the rally the next inning, scoring six runs to take a 9-5 lead. The Hoosiers held off a late rally by Minnesota to avoid the sweep and win 9-6. Senior pitcher Adam Pegg earned the win despite giving up five earned runs in six innings of work.\nBynum said the Hoosiers were going to do anything to win the series finale and avoid the sweep.\n"We just needed this win," Bynum said. "We just battled and fought back. This win will help us down the road in the Big Ten."\n-- Contact staff writer Cory Steger at csteger@indiana.edu.