Hoosiers drop 3 of 4 in first conference weekend series

The IU baseball team opened conference play this weekend by dropping three of four on the road against Michigan State. The Hoosiers lost two one-run decisions, falling to 8-14 overall and 1-3 in conference.\n"We're battling, we're just not getting over the hump," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "We just need to get that big hit or make that big play."\nThe offense helped the Hoosiers jump out to a 5-2 lead after three innings in game one, but the pitching staff struggled and relinquished the lead. Senior starter Josh Lewis (2-4) took the loss after allowing nine runs on nine hits in four innings pitched. The bullpen allowed eight runs over the next five innings in the 17-7 loss.\nSenior left fielder Jay Brant continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and his third home run of the season.\nThe first game of Saturday's double header turned into a pitcher's duel. IU senior starter Clint Crosier (2-1) allowed two runs, one earned run, throughout 5 1/3 innings, but ended up losing the decision. \n"I was just trying to throw strikes and let my defense help me," Crosier said. "I got a lot of ground balls and they picked them up."\nMichigan State starter Jeff Gerbe out-dueled Crosier, allowing four hits and one unearned run over seven innings for the complete game victory. \nDesignated hitter Steve Head collected the lone Hoosier RBI, driving in Brant in the top of the sixth to tie the game 1-1. \nMichigan State responded with a run in the bottom half of the sixth to seal the 2-1 win. \nThe IU offense bounced back in the second game of the double header, leading the way for the Hoosiers' first conference victory of the season.\nAfter falling behind 2-1 in three innings, the offense exploded for 11 runs in the next four innings. The catalyst was senior center fielder Reggie Watson, who went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Freshman designated hitter Cameron Satterwhite went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.\n"I was pretty excited to get in there and get a chance to play," Satterwhite said. "It felt pretty good."\nFreshman starter Joe Vicini (3-1) was the winner, allowing five runs, four earned, throughout four innings. Sophomore pitcher Chris McCombs came in for the final three innings, allowing two runs and striking out six for his second save of the season.\nMichigan State's offense again proved too much for IU to handle in the series finale. The Spartans touched up IU senior starting pitcher Adam Poole for six runs, three earned, in his three innings of work. \nDespite trailing the whole game, the Hoosiers battled back to tie it at 7-7 in the top of the eighth. Michigan State responded with one run in the bottom half of the inning, only to see the Hoosiers tie it again in the bottom of the ninth on a one-out single from senior Zach Boswell. \nThe Spartans pushed a run across for a 9-8 victory in the bottom of the 10th against IU reliever sophomore Doug Fleenor (0-1).\nSatterwhite led the IU offense again, going 2-for-4 with one RBI on his first home run of the season and of his collegiate career.