Second home win of season comes at hands of Marion

The Hoosiers defeated their in-state opponent the Marion Knights 9-4 Tuesday to improve to 3-5 on the season. The team had been struggling early on, but they got the bats swinging in the victory and picked up some key hits. \nExcept for the 11 runs scored against Southeastern Louisiana, the nine runs for the Hoosiers was the highest-scoring output of the season. \nSenior outfielder Kevin Mahar led IU with three RBIs. Mahar, the Hoosiers' leading hitter this year with a .375 average, was the designated hitter throughout the day for the team, hitting in the pitcher's spot. \nWith the game tied at one in the third inning, the Midland, Mich., native came up to the plate with two on and one out. Mahar proceeded to take the pitch and drill it over the left field fence, giving the Hoosiers a 4-1 lead. In the seventh, the right handed slugger just barely missed another dinger when he took a pitch opposite field that the Marion right fielder caught on the warning track, just inches from the fence. \nMahar said it of course felt good to hit a home run but the important thing was that the team was starting to put some runs on the board.\n"It felt great to finally score some runs. We got guys in scoring position, and we knocked them in," Mahar said. "We just have to keep going and try to improve every day."\nIU coach Bob Morgan was happy with the victory, saying it was good to get the win but the offense still needs to improve.\n"We still should have scored more -- guys need to hit in certain situations," Morgan said. "Some guys are still struggling, but there are definitely signs that we are getting better, and we will keep making progress."\nWith the offense doing its job, it makes it much easier for the pitching staff to perform well, especially with young pitchers on the mound, Morgan emphasized.\n"There is no question that getting runs on the board helps. You can afford to make a mistake or two," Morgan said.\nFreshman Byron Banks made the start for the Hoosiers, going three strong innings and giving up only one earned run and one hit. \nFreshman Matt Saba came in relief for Banks and went five innings, giving up three runs to pick up the win and improve his record to 2-0 on the season. \nSaba also said the team jumping out to an early lead helped him relax on the mound.\n"Mostly, it just gives the pitcher confidence. With even just one run, it is a lot easier than when you are tied or down," Saba said. "Fortunately, in my two starts, I have had good hitting to back me up."\nOn the other side of the ball, the Hoosiers played nearly flawless baseball. The team made only one error on the day. \nMorgan, as well as the players, says they need to keep improving on the offensive end, which will come with more games and experience. \nThe Hoosiers travel to Indianapolis today to play Butler University then travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, to play Xavier tomorrow. The team returns home Friday to play a three-game series with Cleveland State. \n-- Contact staff writer Alex Witteveld at pawittev@indiana.edu.