Hoosiers drop final Big Ten tune up

INDIANAPOLIS -- The IU baseball team faltered in its final game before conference play, falling 6-5 to Butler after holding a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. \nThe Bulldogs (9-12) used their home-field advantage and battled back late in the game for the win, dropping the Hoosiers to 7-11 overall. \n"To me there is no solace in one-run losses," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "Good teams win close games, and we have go to start winning them."\nThe Hoosiers' hopes of winning began to dwindle away after the first two hitters in Butler's lineup reached base off IU reliever Tyler Tufts. With runners on first and third and no outs, Tufts induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Clayton Deeb, allowing a run in the process. Butler's Stephen Gill then followed with a single, and Josh Brown reached on an error from IU's Keith Haas. Butler's Tony Barnes continued the hitting spree with a single, tying the game at five. The Bulldogs' Joe Pauley ended the game with a shot to the right-center field gap, scoring Brown. \nTufts (0-2) blew the save and took the loss for the Hoosiers. Butler's eighth reliever Josh Vollmer (2-0) picked up the win.\n"If we don't take care of the baseball, we're a long way away (from where we need to be)," Smith said.\nThe Hoosiers broke a tie and took the lead in the top of the ninth, beginning with a single by first baseman Tad Reida. Freshman Trevor McConnell came on to run for Reida and promptly stole second base. Designated hitter Steve Head grounded out to second base next, advancing McConnell to third. Keith Haas came to the plate and was hit by the first pitch he saw. \nThe IU coaching staff put on a double steal with Josh Richardson at the plate. Haas intentionally got in a run down and McConnell scampered home to give IU the lead. Richardson then singled to left-center to add a run and give the Hoosiers a 5-3 lead. \n"We were never out of the game," Haas said. "We always fought back. You can't ever give up, even when you're down."\nButler claimed its first lead in the bottom of the third. The Bulldogs' Deeb singled to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, Butler second baseman Jeff Brown singled to put two runners on with one out. IU starting pitcher Adam Poole struck out the next batter but surrendered a two-out, two-RBI single to Butler's shortstop Pauley for a 2-1 Butler lead.\nPoole went four innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out four. \nThe IU offense came to life in the sixth after a Haas lead off single. Richardson then pinch-hit for Tyler Cox and grounded to second. Butler second baseman Brown appeared to tag Haas as he attempted to advance then threw to first for the double play.\nIU first base coach Ted Tom immediately questioned the call on the field, gesturing as if Brown had missed the tag. Smith came out of the dugout to argue the call and was eventually thrown out of the game by the first base umpire.\n"He reached to tag him with the ball and he was a foot away from the guy," Smith said. "But umpires don't win and lose the game. If we do what we're supposed to do, we're not in that situation."\nSmith also argued a play at the plate in the fifth when IU senior Jay Brant was thrown out trying to score on a ground ball. \nFollowing the ejection, the Hoosiers rallied to tie the game. IU senior Zach Boswell singled to right field, and catcher Jon Fixler followed with a double over the head of Butler center fielder Dustin Bucalo to bring Boswell in to score from first. \nDespite the loss, the Hoosiers remain confident heading into Big Ten season.\n"I think we can bounce back like we did in the game today," Fleenor said. "We'll be ready for this weekend"