IU baseball has 'unfinished business'

The IU baseball team has a motto referring to its goals for the upcoming season.

“Our slogan is ‘Unfinished Business,’ as we’re looking to get back to Omaha for the College World Series,” said infielder Casey Rodrigue, a transfer student from Louisiana State University-Eunice. “We’re ready for a really good season.”

The team is in the midst of playing eight total “Fall Ball” games, including three intercollegiate games, all at Bart Kaufman Field.

The team already played against St. Joseph’s College and Xavier University on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Against St. Joe’s, IU won 9-3 behind a sixth-inning home run by junior catcher Kyle Schwarber and a seventh-inning three-run double by Rodrigue.

The Hoosiers won again Monday night against Xaxier 6-2, with home runs from Schwarber, junior outfielder Will Nolden and junior first baseman Sam Travis.

Junior pitcher Kyle Hart threw five strikeouts through the first three innings helping the Hoosiers to a good start.

The Hoosiers will also play a Cream and Crimson game at 8 p.m Oct. 18.

Under the leadership of IU Coach Tracy Smith, the team had an overall record of 49-16, including a 17-7 record against Big Ten opponents in 2013.

Smith garnered 2013 National Coach of the Year honors.

The Hoosiers finished last season ranked No. 12 overall in the NCAA Baseball Division I rankings.

Although it was the first time the Hoosiers made the College World Series, the team members said they feel they could have gone further in the tournament.

“We got there last year, and no one was really that much better than us,” Hart said. “We were playing with every team that we played against and probably should have won every game that we played in. I think it’s a really realistic goal to try to get back there.”  

Despite three Hoosiers being drafted, only fifth round selection Aaron Slegers has departed to the professional ranks as part of the Minnesota Twins organization.

The team also lost shortstop Michael Basil and outfielder Justin Cureton to graduation. Other than that, all starters from last year’s team returned.

Team members said they are already putting in the time to get ready for the season.

“The defense is getting better, and the hitting is unbelievable still,” Hart said. “The pitching is also coming along well. We’re getting there.”

With the recent success, baseball has been growing in popularity at the University.

“When we were playing last summer, people would come up to us and pat us on the back saying that they were proud of us,” junior outfielder Chris Sujka said. “A lot of people have told me that they’re looking forward to coming to games this year.”

The Hoosiers have high hopes for the season, which begins in February.

“The goal is to win it,” Sujka said. “We got a lot of guys back, so we’re hungry to win the whole thing, not just get there.”

Follow reporter Greg Gottfried on Twitter @gott31.