IU splits series at Penn State

The IU baseball team split its first road conference series since 2004 this weekend at Penn State, moving its record to 7-13 in Big Ten play and 17-25 overall.\nThe Hoosiers lost the first game of the series, then swept the Saturday doubleheader before losing the final game on Sunday.\n"Given the circumstances, we can't help but be a little disappointed," IU assistant coach Micah Nori said. "We felt like that Friday game got away from us."\nSenior pitcher Clint Crosier (2-4) started the first game of the series. Crosier allowed six hits and five runs (two earned) in six innings pitched, taking the loss. Penn State starting pitcher Alan Stidfole allowed 13 hits and four runs (two earned) in eight innings of work for the win. \nThe top three hitters in the IU lineup went a combined 7-for-12, led by lead-off hitter Keith Haas, who went 3-for-5 on the day. Despite the production from the top of the order, the Hoosiers were unable to overcome three errors in the 5-4 loss. \nIU swept a Saturday Big Ten doubleheader for the first time since 2003, beginning with an 11-inning victory in the first game. \nSenior starting pitcher Josh Lewis allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings pitched, but didn't factor in the decision after Penn State tied the game at two in the bottom of the seventh.\nFreshman Joe Vicini (4-2) threw four scoreless innings in relief of Lewis, allowing three hits, two walks and striking out one. Junior Ben Greenspan broke the tie in the top of the 11th with a one-out single to score pinch runner Tyler Cox. Vicini then retired Penn State in order in the bottom half of the inning to seal a 3-2 victory.\nFreshman starting pitcher Tyler Tufts controlled the second game of the double header. Tufts (1-3) scattered eight hits and didn't allow a run in seven innings for his first collegiate victory. \n"It's always good to get that first one," Tufts said. "We fixed some stuff and it's good to see it work."\nSenior outfielder Jay Brant led the Hoosier offense in the 3-0 victory. Brant went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and his fifth home run of the year, a solo shot in the top of the first. Brant drove in the second IU run on a ground out to shortstop in the fifth inning.\nBrant was involved in the third and final run scored by the Hoosiers, scoring on a RBI single by Greenspan in the seventh.\n"The sweep was huge," Vicini said. "It was exactly what we needed. It set us up to win the series."\nSophomore pitcher Doug Fleenor started his first conference game in the series finale after throwing a one-hit complete game shutout last Tuesday. Fleenor (2-2) struggled, allowing four hits and four runs (two earned) in 3 2/3 innings pitched for the loss.\nThe Hoosier offense was held to only six hits by Penn State starter Craig Clark, who threw a complete game in the 11-0 Nittany Lion victory. \nIU has this week off for final exams before hosting four games against the Iowa Hawkeyes Friday at Sembower Field.