Hoosiers speed through Hartford in 3-game sweep

The IU baseball team opened its home schedule this weekend by sweeping a three-game set against the University of Hartford Hawks, marking the first time this season the Hoosiers have won consecutive games.\nIn order to sweep, the Hoosiers (7-10) had to come back in the bottom of the 11th inning of the final game.\nSenior outfielder Jay Brant came to the plate with two outs and third baseman Tyler Cox on second. Cox had driven in the tying run with a two-out double before Brant came up. Brant then lined a fastball into left field to plate the winning run. Cox slid head first to just beat the tag and give IU a 6-5 victory.\n"I had two strikes on me, I was just looking for something away that I could drive," Brant said.\nBrant finished the day 4-for-6 at the plate to go along with the game-winning RBI.\nDespite the victory, the Hoosiers struggled defensively throughout the game, committing seven errors on the day.\nFreshman left-hander Joe Vicini (2-1) picked up the win in relief, but sophomore Chris McCombs did the bulk of the pitching. McCombs tossed five innings of scoreless relief, extending his scoreless innings streak to 11 1/3.\nBen Sobocinski (0-1) took his first loss of the season for Hartford.\nIU never trailed in Saturday's game, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the second on a RBI single by center fielder Reggie Watson. Designated hitter Zach Boswell did more damage with a two-RBI single in the fifth for a 3-1 Hoosier lead.\nHartford came back in the top of the sixth, adding a run and chasing IU starter Clint Crosier from the game. Vicini then came on and quelled the Hartford rally.\nIU then added an insurance run in the bottom half of the sixth for a 4-2 lead.\nRightfielder Cameron Satterwhite singled to lead off the inning, then fellow freshman Andrew Means pinch-ran. Means, who doubles as a wide receiver on the IU football team, had just returned from football's first full-pads spring practice.\nMeans immediately stole second, then scored on Jon Fixler's squeeze bunt. Means singled and stole his second base later in the game. He is a perfect nine-for-nine on stolen base attempts this year.\n"I just got out of practice, called my dad and was like 'what inning is it?'" Means said. "He's like, 'It's the fifth inning, get your ass over there.' I just wanted to contribute to the team."\nThe score remained 4-2 for the final. Crosier (2-0) got the win for the Hoosiers. Vicini saved his second game of the season. Hartford starter Adam Flaherty (0-3) was credited with the loss.\nThe Hoosiers started the series with a 6-4 victory Friday, running all over the Hawks' defense in the process. IU stole 10 bases, including a straight steal of home by second baseman Keith Haas, one of his four stolen bases on the day.\n"We want to be aggressive on the bases," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "I think when you have some fast kids you've got to utilize your tools."\nHaas stole home in the bottom of the fourth with lead off hitter Brant at the plate. It was IU's fourth run of the game.\n"(Third base) coach (Micah) Nori told me to take it if I had it," Haas said. "Jay didn't know, good thing he didn't swing."\nStarting pitcher Josh Lewis (2-3) tossed seven innings, gave up two earned runs and struck out six in the victory. McCombs then came on with two scoreless innings of relief for his first save of the season.\nStarter Pete Moraski (0-4) was on the losing end of the decision.