Hoosiers attempt to find consistency, wins

With a full week to prepare for Iowa, the Hoosiers have been working hard to overcome their recent struggles in conference play. \nSince IU (19-12, 3-5) has begun Big Ten action, the team has been plagued by errors and stranding runners on base. This weekend, the Hoosiers will get a chance to redeem themselves when they meet the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-19, 1-7 Big Ten) for a three-game series.\nIU coach Bob Morgan said the team can't put too much emphasis on the opponent and must focus on its own game.\n"Our focus this weekend will be on Indiana. We have to go out and play well," Morgan said. "We were disappointed in our performance last weekend, and we feel we are better. We will worry about us because that's all we can control. We want to play hard and play well with great focus, concentration and intensity."\nThe Hawkeyes enter the series with the worst record in the Big Ten. They have lost nine of their last 11 games with their most recent losses coming to Northern Iowa at home. The Hawkeyes' only Big Ten victory came in a 13-inning win against Michigan.\nDespite the Hawkeyes' struggles this season, the Hoosiers can't afford to look past the series opener Friday. The team has been working hard on its consistency all week.\nJunior outfielder Joe Kemp said the team needs to be consistent in order to win.\n"Against Minnesota, we had a lot of guys in scoring position, and we just didn't come up with a big hit," Kemp said. "We have to put ourselves in position to score runs. We're not looking past Friday. We need a big win tomorrow."\nThe series provides IU with a good chance to pull its Big Ten record above .500 for the first time. Only one player for Iowa is batting above .300, and no pitcher has under a 4.00 ERA.\nSenior third baseman David Hughes said the Hoosiers have had a difficult time adjusting to Big Ten pitching.\n"The hardest adjustment has probably been the pitching we've been seeing," Hughes said. "The quality of pitching is definitely a lot better than it was in non-conference."\nMorgan said the team needs to win when it plays at home.\n"When we're playing within the confines of Sembower Field. We need to take advantage of that," Morgan said. "We need to get good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. If we do that, we can beat anybody."\nThe series opener is scheduled for 3 p.m., while Saturday's game is set for 1 p.m. The series finale is also set to start at 1 p.m.\n-- Contact staff writer Cory Steger at csteger@indiana.edu.