Hoosiers drop 2 of 3 as bats fail

Despite solid pitching efforts, the Hoosiers managed only one win in a three-game road trip against Murray State, Kentucky and Navy this weekend. In search of their first road win, the Hoosiers had trouble finding much success at the plate, going a combined 11 for 64 in the first two games.\nSenior pitcher Adam Pegg took the loss after surrendering a home run in the top of the ninth, giving Murray State a 2-1 win. Junior outfielder Joe Kemp had the only RBI for the Hoosiers when he knocked in junior third baseman Corby Heckman. Heckman was 2 for 4 against the Racers.\nThe Hoosiers' struggles at the plate continued Saturday in the 10-2 loss to Kentucky. Senior pitcher Nick Vitielliss held the Wildcats to just one run through five innings, notching three strikeouts. \nSenior pitcher Chris Behrens earned the loss for the Hoosiers after giving up four runs in less than two innings of work.\nSunday, the Hoosiers earned their second win of the season, edging out Navy 5-4 in extra innings. The team took a 4-2 lead into the ninth but lost control with just one out left in the game. The Midshipmen managed to tie the game when Doug Silverman reached first on a wild pitch after striking out for what would have been the final out. In the 11th inning, Heckman singled to right-center field, scoring freshman outfielder Rashard Graves. Junior pitcher Steve Nielsen earned the win for the Hoosiers by pitching the last two innings.\nThe team returns to Bloomington for a home game Monday afternoon against Taylor University. The Trojans opened the season with just one win and two losses and are continuing a road trip which took them Rio Grande, Ohio last weekend.\nThe Trojans have seven returning starters from a team that went 11-31 last season. The team is led by senior shortstop Matt Alspaugh, who earned all-conference honors last year. The strength of the Trojans may lie in the pitching staff, which remains unchanged from last season. Senior pitcher Cory Neuenschwander, who was also all-conference last year, heads up the experience-laden pitching staff.\nIn order to beat the Trojans, the Hoosiers will need to find their way out of their current hitting slump, in which they are hitting a lowly .194, going 20 for 103.\nThe Hoosiers will be going for their third win of the season at 2 p.m. Monday at Sembower Field.