IU takes 2 in Service Academy Classic

IU coach Bob Morgan's prediction could not have been more correct. \nAfter shutting out DePauw in its season opener last Tuesday, Morgan knew his Hoosier baseball team was headed into some stiff competition for the Service Academy Classic this past weekend.\nThe Hoosiers came away with two victories in three games played and improved their overall record to 3-1 on the year. IU knocked off Indiana State and Memphis, but was defeated by Navy in extra innings Sunday.\n"We're disappointed in that last game," Morgan said. "Overall we played some good defense and our pitching was pretty good. Our offensive execution wasn't as good as I would have liked and we didn't maximize our opportunities to score runs."\nThe Hoosiers did battle with in-state rival Indiana State on Friday and prevailed 5-4, after rallying in the bottom of the ninth. IU trailed the Sycamores 4-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, until center fielder Reggie Watson hit a triple and later scored on a home run from right fielder Joe Kemp. Left fielder Zach Boswell continued the offensive surge with a home run of his own to tie up the score. The score remained tied going into the bottom of the ninth when second baseman Jay Brant sealed the victory for the Hoosiers, scoring after third baseman Corby Heckman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.\nSaturday's match-up with the Tigers nearly mirrored that of Friday's. The Hoosiers tallied three runs in the top of the 10th inning led by the duo of Kemp and Parker. Despite his disappointment in Sunday's loss, Morgan remains confident of the future.\n"We just need to continue to get better and figure out our lineups," Morgan said. "We did not play as well as we did in our first two ballgames. Despite some mental mistakes, our guys played hard, persevered and won the game."\nIU got things going to start the game against Memphis with Brant doubling to right and Kemp belting his second home run of the season. Kemp went two for four on the day with three runs batted in and three runs scored. Parker contributed with three hits of his own, an RBI and a run scored. Kemp, who is the team's closer this season, also made a relief appearance in the game and picked up his first win since 2002.\n"I'm pretty happy with how we played and it feels good to be able to step up and become a leader," Kemp said. "Hopefully we can just continue winning games and I can get the opportunity to close out games."\nDespite pitching four scoreless innings Sunday morning, junior Adam Poole was unable to pick up the victory for the Hoosiers against Navy. Poole surrendered three runs to the Midshipmen in the fifth inning of play before being pulled by Morgan. The Hoosiers tied the game in the eighth inning on a home run from Boswell and a RBI single from Watson. \nHowever, with the score still tied in the bottom of the 12th inning, Navy left fielder Jared Munde was struck by a Matt Saba pitch, allowing a Midshipmen runner to score on the winning run. Boswell finished the day two for five with home run and a double, while shortstop Josh Richardson contributed three hits of his own, including a RBI and stolen base. Despite falling just short of a weekend sweep, Boswell was pleased with the team's performance.\n"We battled really well this weekend," Boswell said. "We did a great job of keeping it close and then pulled it out in the first two games."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Matt Mattucci at mmattucc@indiana.edu.