The IU softball team’s season came to an end Thursday evening with a loss in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
IU ends its season with three consecutive losses to Michigan State. The Hoosiers finish with a 23-31 overall record, and a 9-15 mark against other Big Ten teams.
Despite holding a 7-4 lead in the sixth inning, IU allowed four runs in that inning and lost 8-7 to Michigan State.
The loss eliminates IU from the single-elimination conference tournament.
The Hoosiers found themselves in an early hole during the game’s first inning.
A three-run home run by Michigan State sophomore utility player Kaitlyn Eveland off IU sophomore pitcher Tara Trainer gave the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
IU was quick to answer, though, as the Hoosiers scored four runs in the second off Michigan State junior pitcher Kristina Zalewski.
Zalewski was replaced after the second by junior pitcher Bridgette Rainey, who picked up the win.
Freshman utility player Katie Lacefield, freshman catcher Bella Norton and senior utility player Erin Lehman all recorded RBI doubles to right field to tie the game 3-3. Freshman utility player Gabbi Jenkins then sent a RBI single to center field to score Lehman and give IU its first lead.
However, sophomore outfielder Lexi White tied the game with a solo homer in the bottom half of the second. White terrorized the Hoosiers during last weekend’s three-game series in Bloomington, posting a .625 batting average against IU.
Runs in the fourth and fifth innings provided IU with the 7-4 lead.
Three RBI singles by Lehman, Lacefield and junior utility player Aimilia McDonough, respectively, accounted for the runs.
Trainer returned to the circle in the sixth to try and hold the IU lead, but ran into problems.
After issuing a walk to White and allowing a single, Trainer induced a double play to put two outs against Michigan State.
Trainer then allowed an RBI single before issuing three straight walks. The final walk scored a run and cut the deficit to one for Michigan State.
A two-run double down the left-field line by junior catcher Jordan Davis completed the comeback for the Spartans, who took an 8-7 lead.
Trainer was replaced by sophomore pitcher Emily Kirk to record the final out of the inning.
IU managed to get the tying run on base in the seventh when Lacefield drew a walk. But senior outfielder Kayla Mathewson hit into a fielder’s choice before Norton flied out to end the game.
Michigan State will play No. 17 Michigan tomorrow in the tournament’s second round.
The team’s 23 wins are the second-most in a season for the Hoosiers since 2012.
Cameron Drummond
