POSTED AT 12:00 AM ON Apr. 5, 2005 | PRINT | Email | SHARE | COMMENTS (0)

Despite scoring seven runs on nine hits, the Hoosier offense could not overcome the eight runs scored by Northwestern.

The IU baseball team was defeated 8-7 Monday by the Wildcats. The loss marked the third straight for the Hoosiers, dropping them to 1-2 on the year in Big Ten play.

IU coach Bob Morgan said he was not pleased with his team's performance.

"I'm very disappointed after this loss," Morgan said. "We committed too many errors, and we are not playing as well as we have been. This weekend was frustrating overall."

The IU defense committed four errors in the game, accounting for four unearned runs. The Hoosiers now have committed four errors in each of their last three games.

"Our defense needs to get a lot better," said sophomore shortstop Josh Richardson. "We really need to get back to the basics."

Starting pitcher Adam Poole surrendered nine hits and four runs to the Wildcat offense and drew a no-decision, keeping him 0-1 on the year in six games started. Junior left fielder Zach Boswell tallied two hits for the Hoosier offense, including a three-run blast in the fifth inning to give IU the lead.

The Hoosiers lost their lead in the seventh inning of play after the Wildcats put four runs on the board to tie the score. Northwestern sealed the victory with a run scored by outfielder Stanley Finch and shut out the Hoosiers in the ninth inning.

Junior center fielder Reggie Watson contributed three hits and an RBI in the losing effort, as well as two putouts in the outfield. IU nearly lost Watson to an injury in the seventh inning of play after he collided into the wall while chasing down a Wildcat home run.

"I really just felt a twinge," Watson said. "It pretty much happens to any outfielder who hits the wall like that."

Second baseman Jay Brant extended his hitting streak to 18 games Monday with a hit and an RBI.

The Hoosiers will be in action again Wednesday when they meet Indiana State for the second time this season. IU was victorious in the first match-up, 5-4. First pitch at Sembower Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.

-- Contact Staff Writer Matt Mattucci at mmattucc@indiana.edu.