Top coaches battle it out as IU claims victory against in-state rival Indiana State, 6-4 at home

Coming off a weekend when the Hoosier baseball team lost three of four games, they rebounded Wednesday with a 6-4 victory against in-state rival Indiana State. IU coach Bob Morgan decided to change the lineup defensively for Wednesday's game and said it was a change the Hoosiers have had readily available for most of the season.\n"We had intentions of doing that for quite some time," Morgan said. "Today we decided to switch it up. We've had a little trouble in the infield."\nWednesday's lineup saw junior Jay Brant move to left field, allowing junior Zach Boswell to step into the designated hitter spot. Brant recorded a single in the fourth inning of play, bringing his hit streak to 19 games on the year. Also, freshman David Trager was given the start at shortstop. Morgan said that while the team is still having difficulties defensively, he was pleased with Wednesday's outcome.\n"The kids really responded well today," Morgan said. "We can't be as fragile as we were last weekend. We need to go into this weekend, swing the bats well and get a couple wins."\nThe IU offense, ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten for team batting average, was lead by junior first baseman Ryan Parker and senior right fielder Joe Kemp. Both sluggers tallied two hits and an RBI in the contest, with Kemp adding a double as well. The left-hander Kemp was unable to make a pitching appearance late in the game after hitting a foul ball off his right leg in the sixth inning of play.\n"I fouled one off last weekend also, so it (my leg) is still pretty tender," Kemp said. "The coaches asked me if I could pitch, but I didn't as a precautionary measure."\nIn Kemp's absence, sophomore Joe Trucchio picked up his second save of the season for IU, who awaits a four-game set with Minnesota this weekend.\n"If we can play our game we should be able to compete," Trucchio said. "I consider myself a relief pitcher right now and I will be available whenever the team needs me."\nMorgan said the Hoosiers will have their work cut out for them again this weekend against the Golden Gophers and their No. 2-ranked defense in the Big Ten.\n"They (Minnesota) are a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten," Morgan said. "We're going to need to have good pitching and good defense so we can get a couple of wins."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Matt Mattucci at mmattucc@indiana.edu.