The Hoosiers travel to Evansville on Tuesday and host Indiana State on Wednesday.
The two games come after IU lost a series at home against Michigan State, a series in which IU lost twice in a Sunday ?doubleheader.
The Hoosiers only recorded six hits during the two games.
Senior outfielder Will Nolden said he thought the Hoosiers were pressing too much at the plate against Michigan State.
He said he also sees only one solution to ?the problem.
“There’s really only one thing you can do,” Nolden said. “You just have to clear it and get ready to play ?this week.”
In its last game against Evansville, a 2-1 loss in 14 innings, IU only managed to put three runners in scoring position after the second inning. The Hoosiers failed to score a run for the final 13 innings after scoring their only run ?in the first.
The struggles that plagued the Hoosiers in their last game against Evansville are the same problems currently ?troubling them.
IU Coach Chris Lemonis said IU didn’t compete at the plate that night against Evansville and says the Hoosiers still aren’t competing.
A more recent problem the Hoosiers have ?encountered has been competing as a team once they fall behind.
Two weeks ago against Evansville and Indiana State, IU grabbed 1-0 leads in the first inning. In both games IU lost against Michigan State this weekend, IU fell behind early.
And once the Hoosiers fall behind, Lemonis said, they are unable to ?fight back.
“We’re falling behind and pressing,” Lemonis said. “We just need to relax and play because we’ve got some good players, but we have to be able to play to our abilities.”
IU junior pitcher Scott Effross has moved back to the bullpen full time, ?Lemonis said.
After starting the season as IU’s No. 1 starting pitcher, Effross has struggled with injuries and ?inconsistencies.
Recently, Effross has turned into IU’s long reliever. He’s capable of pitching extended innings to bridge the gap between a short start and the back end of the bullpen.
“He’s just a lot better in that role, and he’s very ?vibrant,” Lemonis said.
Effross threw 4.1 innings of scoreless relief before pitching again Sunday for two scoreless innings.
Evansville will start Ryan Billo on the mound Tuesday against IU. Billo is 5-1 this season with a 3.21 ERA. IU has yet to name a starting pitcher for either the Evansville or Indiana State game.
