Big Ten's No. 1 offense rolls into Longwood University

After coming off a tournament in Bradenton, Fla. -- where IU won six of seven games -- the 12-4 Hoosiers will travel this weekend to Farmville, Va. to play a three game set against Longwood University. \nThis will be the first time IU has faced the Lancers as well as the first time they have stepped onto a baseball field since March 20. Wednesday's home game against Ball State was postponed due to inclement weather. \nTwo weeks ago senior second baseman Jay Brant was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week. For games against Butler, Bowling Green, Bucknell and Yale, Brant went 12-for-15, scoring nine runs, and recording an .800 batting average. Not only did Brant show quickness in his hands, but displayed speed on his feet as well. During the four game stretch he stole three bases and drove in five runs to tally up a 1.133 slugging percentage. \n"I've just been able to find a rhythm up at the plate, which is really important," Brant said. "I've been able to control my at-bats by swinging at the pitches I like."\nCurrently Brant is crowning a 10-game hitting streak, only four hits shy of the season record held by senior right fielder Joe Kemp and junior first baseman Ryan Parker who actively holds a 14-game hitting streak. \nThe player coming off the best week of his career is senior left fielder Zach Boswell. In the period ending March 20, Boswell was named Big Ten Player of the Week for his performances against Illinois State, Vermont, Kent State and St. Francis in the Florida tournament. In those games Boswell posted a 5-for-5 performance, adding three doubles and four RBIs. He also boasted a 1.214 slugging percentage and .706 on-base percentage including one home run. So far this season Boswell leads the team with a .458 batting average and .763 slugging percentage. \nBoswell presently holds the Big Ten lead in slugging percentage and walks with 12. Reggie Watson leads the Big Ten in triples with four, while Parker holds top honors the conference with 23 RBIs. Heading into the match-up against Longwood, Brant is tops in the league in runs scored (27), hits (31) and total bases (48). \n"We're looking to stay hot and keep the bats going," Parker said. "We just want some momentum going into this Big Ten series."\nOn the defensive side of the ball, freshman pitcher Brad Davidson will start for the Hoosiers Friday against the Lancers. Davidson is coming off a seven-inning scoreless performance against Yale March 14. He also has not allowed one run in his two starts spanning 12 innings. \nIU coach Bob Morgan believes the Hoosiers' team chemistry has produced hits and wins for the team so far this season.\n"We've played well and we've swung the bats well," Morgan said. "The players have been playing off each other. One guy steps up and then another guy steps up. It's been contagious in the right way."\nThe Hoosiers offense has been red-hot thus far in 2005. Their .354 batting average ranks first in the Big Ten conference and the team's 3.79 ERA ranks third behind Michigan and Illinois respectively. \nThis will be the first time in school history that IU has played Longwood. Nonetheless, Morgan is confident the Hoosiers will continue to dominate with focus and without fear. \n"How well we play is the key for us," Morgan said. "We just control them and that is how we play." \nAfter a three game set at Farmville, Va. the Hoosiers are set to play Valparaiso, at 3 p.m. Tuesday on Sembower Field. It will be only the third time IU has played a game at home in 2005. The Hoosiers enter Big Ten competition later that week against Northwestern at home in another three game set. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Andrew Shaffer at asshaffe@indiana.edu.