Hoosiers no match for Wolverines

With only nine games left in the season and a Big Ten tournament bid on the line, the IU baseball team needed to play well against the team they are competing with for the last spot in the tournament -- Michigan.\nUnfortunately, IU didn't do itself any favors, as they were swept by the Wolverines this weekend. Saturday the Hoosiers lost 6-2, 5-2 respectively and 8-5 , 9-4 Sunday in Ann Arbor, Mich. at Ray Fisher Stadium.\nHeavy rains cancelled the first game of the series Friday, forcing a double-header Saturday. \nGoing into the series, both teams expected to score often as the Hoosiers currently lead the Big Ten in batting average, runs scored, and hits. The Wolverines posses a potent offense as they are tied for second in batting average, and third in both runs scored and hits in the Big Ten.\nAfter two losses Saturday, the Hoosiers looked to reverse their fortunes. But the results where much the same of the first part of the weekend.\nSunday, IU lost their third straight game. Hoosier third baseman Corby Heckman hit a solo home run to go along with two hits in the game. IU was in control of the game, leading 4-2, until the fifth inning when Michigan lit up the scoreboard for five runs. Junior pitcher Josh Lewis took the loss, dropping his record to 7-4 on the season.\nIn game one of the double header Saturday, wet and cool conditions and solid pitching limited offensive action for the first four innings.\nThe Wolverines were the first to strike with three runs in the fifth. After IU senior Brian Lortz struck out the leadoff hitter, Michigan scored on five consecutive singles before the inning ended on a bases loaded double play. \n"I try to keep the ball down. If I keep the ball down, I don't get hit too bad," Lortz said. "Pretty much throw strikes and eliminate walks is our goal all the time."\nIU surged back into the game in the top of the sixth with two runs after an RBI single from junior left fielder Jay Brant and a one out groundout by junior first baseman Ryan Parker.\nThose were the only runs the Hoosier offense could produce for the rest of the game as Michigan starting pitcher Jim Brauer, who Hoosier junior pitcher Dan Pezley called "The real deal," picked up his seventh win of the season. He pitched nine innings while surrendering eight hits.\nIn game two Saturday, IU starting pitcher Matt Saba pitched 4 1/3 quality innings giving up six hits and two earned runs. Centerfielder Reggie Watson started the scoring in the game by smashing a homer in the top of the fourth inning off Wolverine starting pitcher Michael Penn. Penn received his sixth win of the season by completing the game, giving up only two earned runs and five hits to IU.\nIU lost its third straight game \nSunday, 8-5. Heckman hit a solo home run to go along with two hits in the game while Lewis took the loss dropping his record to 7-4 on the season.\nThe losses this weekend hurt IU's chances of qualifying for the Big Ten tournament which starts May 25. \nAlthough IU wanted to come away with the series they still have rival Purdue to battle this weekend, Pezley said. \n"Our plan was to take three of four to these guys," he said. "Now we have to look forward to Purdue"