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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

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Hoosiers sweep 4-game Snowbird Classic

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Despite not having its ace, Scott Effross, this past weekend, IU returned to Bloomington with a doubled win total.

IU (8-4) swept its four-game series in the Snowbird Baseball Classic in Florida by defeating Villanova, Dartmouth, Saint Joseph’s and ?Ball State.

“We were pretty fundamental all the way around,” IU Coach Chris Lemonis said. “We had some great starts and timely hits. I’d like to defend a little better, but we’re a work in progress.”

Starting pitching led the way over the weekend, as IU’s four starters allowed seven earned runs in 22.2 innings of work. Junior Caleb Baragar and sophomore Jake Kelzer each didn’t allow a run.

“They were all great,” Lemonis said. “(Evan) Bell was very good, Christian Morris was really sharp early and Baragar and Kelzer were lights out.”

On Friday the Hoosiers played both Villanova and Dartmouth. It took a late comeback with hits from senior second baseman Casey Rodrigue to give IU a 4-3 win against Villanova, while a seven-run second inning sparked an 8-6 win against Dartmouth.

Senior Luke Harrison picked up the save, one of two he got during the weekend. Senior Ryan Halstead did not close this weekend, but did pitch two scoreless innings.

Lemonis said the idea was to keep Halstead fresh. He said he feels like he has three closers with Halstead, Harrison and sophomore Thomas Belcher.

“We got all three guys closing and setting up and everything else,” Lemonis said. “I’m trying not to have a ton of ego back there because all three are vital to our success.”

Harrison earned his second save Saturday, when IU beat Saint Joseph’s 3-2 behind Baragar’s first start as a Hoosier, a no decision.

The transfer from Jackson Community College allowed just two hits and no runs.

“He went right at them, he didn’t show any signs of nerves or anything,” Lemonis said. “He just pounded the strike zone. He’s got really good stuff, maybe as good as any on the team, and when he throws a ton of strikes like that it’s hard to beat him.”

Baragar, who will be the team’s fourth starter once midweek games begin, said he feels ready to contribute.

“It was pretty cool, I was excited and a little nervous too,” Baragar said. “I was just happy to get the opportunity. The hitters are a little bit smarter (in Division I), that’s for sure. The game is a bit quicker too, so I had to adjust to the game speed.”

The weekend finale was over quickly as IU rolled to a 16-1 victory against Ball State. The Hoosier offense collected 17 hits, while 18 different players played. Fourteen of the 16 hitters got hits.

“We’ve just been seeing the ball better,” sophomore outfielder Craig Dedelow said. “We’re not swinging at balls in the dirt. We’re looking for a pitch to hit and hitting it.”

One of the bench players who saw action was freshman outfielder Chris Lowe. He got his first hit and RBI in his first career at bat Saturday and picked up a hit and his second RBI in as many at bats Sunday.

Another bench player who made an impact was freshman infielder Colby Stratten, who picked up his first career hit, a three-run triple.

Dedelow, Rodrigue, freshman outfielder Logan Sowers and sophomore infielder Austin Cangelosi all hit home runs over the weekend.

“It’s always good to come home after winning, and especially after a sweep,” Dedelow said. “It gives us a little bit more confidence going into our first home game against Eastern Michigan.”

Dedelow leads the team in batting average at .356 while Rodrigue isn’t far behind at .354. The Hoosiers will be at home for the first time Tuesday against Eastern Michigan.

“It should be nice. It’ll be a real atmosphere, playing in front of a bunch of people instead of just our friends and family,” Baragar said. “It’ll be nice to have some students out there and some local supporters. It’ll be good for ?our team.”

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