IU opens conference play at home against Michigan State squad

IU coach Tracy Smith couldn’t care less about his team’s six-game winning streak. \nThose were nonconference games, yet Friday, the IU baseball team’s games begin to matter on a different level.\nNow it’s Big Ten play. \nIn their first conference games of the season, the Hoosiers host the Michigan State Spartans in a four-game series this weekend and will look to extend the longest winning streak in Smith’s time IU.\n“All this about our win streak, I go, ‘What win streak?’” Smith said. “All that matters is what goes on in the Big Ten, and I think our guys are ready to get out there.”\nHe said because the Hoosiers (10-8) played a tough nonconference schedule – highlighted by three straight losses to now-No. 1 Florida State – he is looking for the team to be better prepared against Big Ten opponents.\nThat preparation will come into play against the Spartans, who Smith said played a tough nonconference schedule this year as well. \nFollowing a 5-3 win against Bowling Green on Wednesday, Michigan State evened its record to 8-8.\n“I think they’re going to be well coached,” Smith said. “So we’ve got to bring a very sound philosophy because they’re very well disciplined. They’re going to be a lot like us, just that we haven’t had a lot of success in the Big Ten and (we) have something to prove.”\nOne of the more obvious differences between the two teams is age. \nThe Hoosiers are a younger ball club, and Smith said this could play to the their advantage because they are confident and “don’t know any better.”\n“I’m definitely going to find out real quick how important these Big Ten games are,” said catcher Josh Phegley, one of the team’s 18 freshman players.\nAlongside Phegley, freshman second baseman Evan Crawford (.391 Avg.) and freshman pitcher Matt Bashore (3-1, 1.63 ERA) are two of the other new Hoosiers who have made an immediate impact. \nStill, Smith said there is room for improvement \nSo far, IU has played small ball, pitched well and played good defense rather than relying on a power offense. Currently, the Hoosiers boast a team batting average of .277 and are averaging almost six runs per game, yet Smith is still looking for more improvement out of his offense. \nSmith would rather have more power in his offense but recognizes his team just isn’t that type of squad.\n“We’re going to be a speed, put pressure on the defense type club,” Smith said. “We can win plenty of games by not hitting long balls, but I don’t think our hitting is anywhere (near) where it needs to be right now.”\nDuring its Wednesday practice following the cancellation of its game against Xavier, eagerness embodied the team as it prepared for the weekend series against Michigan State. \nSeveral players, including senior shortstop Keith Haas, said they are ready for Big Ten season to start.\n“We’re excited and we’re excited to get started, especially at home,” Haas said. “We just want to get off on the right foot.”