Hoosiers head south for break

After picking up its first win of the season Tuesday, the IU baseball team is looking to build some momentum. It has the perfect opportunity to do just that during spring break.\nThe Hoosiers will travel to Bradenton, Fla., for a stretch of seven games in seven days beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. against Eastern Illinois University. The series concludes March 18 against the University of Illinois-Chicago.\nIn addition, the Hoosiers will take on five other teams -- the University of Northern Iowa, Bradley University, Fairfield University, Eastern Kentucky University and Vermont University. Of the seven teams IU will face, only Northern Iowa and Eastern Kentucky have winning records at 7-2 and 5-4, respectively.\n"We'll face some good teams down there, especially Northern Iowa and Illinois-Chicago," said assistant coach Ted Tom. "This stretch of games will really help us come together as a team, both on and off the field."\nThe Hoosiers, at 1-6, are coming off their first win of the season at Indiana State University. Freshman Joe Vicini picked up the win with 4 2/3 innings of stellar relief, a performance that IU would like to see more of from its pitchers. Eastern Kentucky has averaged more than 13 runs in its five victories. \nThe Hoosier offense is led by junior Steve Head, who is hitting at a .421 clip, and senior Jay Brant, who enters the road trip with a .310 batting average. Brant said the ISU victory, in which the Hoosiers tallied seven runs, was a crucial win at this point in the season. \n"We've got some confidence heading into this stretch, and that's important, to have that taste of victory," Brant said. "We're going to go down there with the mindset that we can win all seven of these games."\nWhen IU squares off against Northern Iowa and Bradley -- two Missouri Valley Conference teams -- sophomore Tad Reida said he believes he can provide his teammates with advice on how to handle the Panthers' and Braves' pitchers. Reida transferred from Wichita State University, also of the MVC.\n"I remember some things about their pitchers," Reida said. "I think I can help out with a few little tips."\nWhile seven games in seven days can be difficult both mentally and physically, Brant and Reida said the Hoosiers are looking forward to the challenge.\n"Your body gets a little beat up at the end, but there's nothing better than playing baseball everyday in beautiful weather," Brant said.\nReida agreed with Brant's sentiments.\n"I can't think of anything better," Reida said. "Playing baseball in great weather every day in Florida, that's a heck of a lot better than going to class and playing in 40-degree weather"