IU tries to earn 100th win against DePauw in season opener today

IU baseball coach Bob Morgan looks to continue his home-opening unbeaten streak of 21-0 in 2005 when the Hoosiers start their season against the DePauw Tigers 3 p.m. today at Sembower Field. The Hoosiers might have trouble this year, as the Tigers are coming off of their best year in school history with 28 wins in 2004 and a 13-3 record in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Still, IU will try to maintain its own streak of 15 straight victories over the Tigers. \nAlthough the 2005 Hoosiers lost nine letter winners this year, including three players to the pros, they will compete for the Big Ten title with a combination of youth and experience. Seventeen returning letter winners will try to launch the Hoosiers back into Big Ten supremacy, including infielders Corby Heckman, Ryan Parker and Jay Brant, along with right fielder Joe Kemp and center fielder Reggie Watson. \nIn his 21st year as head coach for the Hoosiers, Morgan has accumulated 1,044 career wins, putting him 11th among the winningest active Division 1 coaches. Morgan has made changes to the IU coaching staff in 2005, bringing in pitching coach Clay Eason from North Carolina State and first year assistant coach Chris Moore in his third season with IU. Morgan also acquired outfielder and first base coach Ted Tom from Shawnee State University. \nAmong the storylines for the 2005 Hoosiers is Joe Kemp's seven-game hitting streak, which he has brought into the home opener against DePauw. Last year Kemp led the Hoosiers with 16 doubles and four triples, adding to his seven home runs and .317 batting average. Veteran first and second baseman Heckman will start the opposite corner at third for the Hoosiers this season, whereas senior and right fielder Joe Kemp will see some time on the mound for the first time since 2003. \nAfter Tuesday's opener against the Tigers, IU travels for the first time in 2005 to face Indiana State 1 p.m. Friday in the Service Academies Classic in Millington, Tenn. From there IU takes on Memphis at 4 p.m. Saturday and Navy 9 a.m. Sunday.\nIU is looking for its 100th victory against DePauw Tuesday, adding to an already impressive record of 99-18-2 over the Tigers. In last year's home opener versus DePauw, IU won 6-3 in maintaining their advantage. Morgan and crew are geared for the upcoming season in hopes of winning their first Big Ten Championship crown since 1996.