The Hoosier baseball team had a strong performance today, but it wasn't quite enough as Gonzaga edged IU 7-4.
Defensive woes showed again for the Hoosiers. In the first, Bulldog junior Jason Chatwood singled and then advanced to second in the next at-bat on a throwing error by Hoosier senior shortstop Tyler Cox. Chatwood would be driven in later in the inning to give the Zags a 1-0 lead early.
When Hoosier freshman first basemen Jerrud Sabourin knocked in sophomore Michael Earley in the fourth inning, IU found itself up 3-1.
But Gonzaga, who has now won seven of their last eight games, struck back in the fifth as Zag left fielder Brett Nicholas drove in teammate Marcus McKimmy with a double to left field.
After another error by Cox and a walk, the Zags had bases loaded when Gonzaga third baseman Brian Winston knocked in two more runs, taking the lead 4-3.
In the seventh, Hoosier sophomore second baseman Evan Crawford knocked in sophomore center fielder Andrew Means with his third hit of the day to knot up the score.
But the Zags would pull away for good in the eigth after a walk and a one-out home run by junior third baseman Ryan Weigand.
Tomorrow, the Hoosiers will take on New Mexico State at 5 p.m as they continue to battle in the invitational at Fresno, Calif.
