Softball aims to keep win streak alive in doubleheader with Illinois

The IU softball team will be in action today in Champaign, Ill., to take on Illinois in a
doubleheader.  

The Hoosiers (30-15, 10-2) have won 10 straight games for the first time since 1994 and currently are tied for first place in the Big Ten with No. 2 Michigan with just eight games remaining in the regular season. IU will welcome Iowa to Bloomington this weekend.

The Hoosiers have been excellent at home, posting a 13-1 record, but they have gone 17-14 on the road.

“We have had some opportunities to score runs early in games recently, but have not been able to come up with the big hit,” Gardner said. “Thankfully we have gotten those hits later in the games and been able to get the wins, but I think if we continue to get those runners on base early in games, we will be able to find a way to get the hits we need to bring them around.”

Senior pitcher Morgan Melloh again will be in the circle. Melloh has posted a 25-14 record this season with a miniscule 1.82 ERA, as well as 397 strikeouts in 253 1/3 innings.

Senior Sara Olson said the team must continue to play well and be mentally strong.

“I think as a team, we all need to continue to stay focused on the goals that we have set and do whatever it takes to achieve them,” Olson said. “We have all put the team above any individual goals, and we know that is what we have to do in order to continue having success.”