In the first game of Friday's four-game set with Ohio State, the Buckeyes came out on top 6-4. OSU struck first, scoring a run in the third.
The Hoosiers took the 2-0 lead with RBI singles from senior shortstop Keith Haas and freshman left fielder Brian Lambert. But neither team was able to pull away from each other until the eighth when the Buckeyes scored three runs to break a 3-3 tie.
Down three runs in the top of the ninth, Haas hit another RBI single to cut the deficit to two, but junior designated hitter Jon Fixler struck out with two runners on to end the game.
Haas finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs while Lambert went 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI of his own. Sophomore pitcher Tyler Tufts got the loss, going 7 2/3 innings and allowing 11 hits, six runs (four earned), and two strikeouts.
The Hoosiers will continue the series with a doubleheader today at 1:05 p.m.
