Redhawks not to be overlooked

The Hoosiers (21-14, 5-7 Big Ten) will take a rare break from conference play today to play host to the University of Miami-Ohio. \nThough IU is playing a non-conference foe, this doesn't mean the game will be easy. The Redhawks are 22-11 this season and were 36-24 last season as one the best teams in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). \nLast year, the Hoosiers traveled to Miami to play a game during conference play and lost 8-5. \nThis year, IU hopes it will be different but team members are aware of the quality team they are facing in the Redhawks. \n"They are the best team in the MAC and a very good overall team," IU coach Bob Morgan said. "We will have our hands full with them."\nWith the Hoosiers stuck between conference series with Iowa last weekend and Illinois this weekend, Morgan knows he has to save his best pitchers for Big Ten games. \nThis doesn't mean he doesn't want to win the game, but certain guys will not throw, and some will be used in limited roles, Morgan said.\n"With the pitching matchups it will be a tough game for us because a lot of guys pitched this weekend, and we will need them against Illinois," Morgan said. "But it is a home game, and we always want to win our home games."\nIU hopes it can continue the hot-hitting from its last game Sunday. In the finale of the Iowa series, the Hoosier bats exploded for 22 hits and 25 runs. \nJunior Jay Brant started the hitting barrage Sunday and hopes the team can continue swinging the bats the same way Wednesday. \n"The major thing about the Miami game is to carry over the hitting that we had on Sunday," Brant said. "We have to have that same mentality hitting-wise that we had today and bring it to the Miami game."\nIn the finale of the Miami series, junior Joe Kemp had two home runs to add to the Hoosiers' offensive outburst. Yet, like his coach, Kemp knows the team can not get cocky and take the Redhawks lightly. \n"They are a tough team, and we need to come out and play hard," Kemp said. "A win would definitely get us in the right direction heading to Illinois."\nAfter the Miami game, the Hoosiers will prepare to travel to Champaign, Ill., where they will resume conference play against the Fighting Illini. \nGame time is 3 p.m., today at Sembower Field. \n-- Contact staff writer Alex Witteveld at pawittev@indiana.edu.