Hoosiers lose to Valparaiso despite 12 hits in home game

The Valparaiso baseball team committed 39 errors on the year going into Tuesday's game against the Hoosiers. Unfortunately for IU, the Crusaders left Sembower Field still with 39.\nIU was defeated Tuesday 12-6 in their first home game in 19 days. IU coach Bob Morgan said a lack of games played recently and poor execution contributed to the Hoosiers' loss.\n"We have only had two games in 11 days and we haven't been able to play in a while," Morgan said. "We need to be able to execute. We had some runners in scoring position and we were unable to bring them in."\nThe Crusaders got on the board early Tuesday, scoring two runs in the third inning of play. IU fought back in the fourth with four runs to take the lead. However, Valparaiso exploded in the fifth inning of the game with six runs and was able to preserve the victory.\n"This wasn't a good game for us at all," junior center fielder Reggie Watson said. "They ran all over us. We need to just keep doing what we were doing before this game and the hits will be there."\nNine different pitchers appeared in the game, four from the Hoosiers squad. Freshman pitcher Chris McCombs was credited with the loss after allowing four earned runs on four hits. Watson was the main source of run production for IU, going three-for-four while driving in three runs. The heart of the Hoosiers lineup struggled, but third baseman Corby Heckman contributed three hits, an RBI and a run scored.\n"Our performance today just wasn't where it needed to be," Heckman said. "We weren't able to capitalize at all."\nSince the Hoosiers' schedule has been cut down recently due to inclement weather, Morgan decided to add a game against Shawnee State.\n"Our pitchers haven't had enough time on the mound," Morgan said. "We need to get some more innings for some pitchers and get them some more time on the field."\nHeckman said the extra game will be beneficial for the Hoosiers because it will give them some more practice before entering Big Ten play Friday against Northwestern.\n"We definitely need this game," Heckman said. "It will be good for us to get out there and get more at-bats."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Matt \nMattucci at mmattucc@indiana.edu.