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(04/06/12 2:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Hoosiers (17-17, 2-4) look to assert the 1-2 punch between freshman pitcher Lora Olson and sophomore pitcher Meaghan Murphy this weekend during their matchup with in-state rival Purdue (23-9, 6-0).The Hoosiers have relied on the young pitching duo to learn quickly in the pre-conference season and adjust accordingly early in Big Ten play. This season, Olson has 24 appearances with 16 starts. In those appearances, she has a 4.44 ERA with an 8-7 record.“It has been really exciting,” Olson said. “It is a lot different than any other softball that I have played in the past. Obviously, being in the Big Ten, there is a lot of good competition. But working with (catcher) Cassie Gogreve and the rest of the team, the freshmen have been able to blend in well.”While the senior leadership of Gogreve, Samantha Berenter, Lindsay Callanan and Heather Nelson has helped the freshman blend into her surroundings, Olson has another personal coach who most collegiate athletes do not have in their pocket: her older sister.Sara Olson, a former Hoosier softball player, returned this season as a student assistant coach for the team.“It has helped me because during games she helps me understand what the hitters are thinking since she was playing just last year,” Olson said. “That helps me think about what I should be doing as I’m pitching.”Murphy brings with her one more year of experience in the circle. However, in that year, Murphy placed just one game under her belt. In that game she recorded a five-inning shutout — her first shutout in her first collegiate game.Since then, Murphy has seen more time in the circle.“It’s been a huge adjustment, especially mentally,” Murphy said. “Although I am a sophomore, I don’t have as much pitching experience as a typical sophomore. Just being ready to go out there and pitch on a regular basis has been the biggest adjustment, but it has been a good adjustment.”This season, Murphy has 25 appearances with 18 starts. In those appearances, she has a 4.51 ERA with a 9-10 record.Two of Murphy’s wins have come against both Big Ten opponents the Hoosiers have faced thus far. Following a 6-5 start, Murphy picked up her first two Big Ten wins in the last two weekends against Ohio State and No. 20 Michigan.“It felt great to get those two wins over very tough teams,” Murphy said. “Our team played them very tough, so the wins should be credited to the entire team and not just my record.”Teamwork has been a characteristic of this year’s pitching staff, working together to share duties between games.“We both understand that we are working together as a pitching staff,” Olson said. “We are always ready to go. We just try to stay ready for each other in case the other needs help. We know we have to be there for each other.”Murphy said the “opposites attract” theory is shared.“The best thing about Lora and I is that we complement each other very well,” Murphy said. “We are two different pitchers, but that seems to work. If one of us has an off day, the other one has been on.”
(04/02/12 1:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Both winning streaks came to an end this weekend at the IU Softball Field.The Indiana Hoosiers forfeited their 15-game winning streak at home while the Michigan Wolverines ended their six-game winning streak as well.The Hoosiers were defeated in the Big Ten home opener Saturday afternoon by a score of 3-2. Freshman Shannon Cawley opened the scoring column for the Hoosiers in the sixth inning with a groundout RBI, scoring senior Heather Nelson and moving senior Samantha Berenter into scoring position. Junior Amanda Wagner took this opportunity to lace a single into center field, scoring Berenter for the other RBI. Wagner’s RBI single began her hitting streak, which lasted throughout the weekend until her final two at-bats in the Sunday game.“Every time I go up, I like it to be a faceless opponent,” Wagner said. “If you think you know their tendencies, you don’t think as clearly, whereas if I go in not knowing what to look for, I can just react and hit the ball.”The Hoosiers were not able to keep the rally going in the seventh, thus forfeiting their home win streak.Although the end of the streak appeared painful, they picked up their first win against a ranked opponent in their second game Saturday. They also did so against the top-ranked team in the Big Ten.In the Hoosiers’ 7-2 win in the second game Saturday, hitting was all that mattered. Although the team was out-hit 10-to-9 by Michigan, Indiana scored early and often by touching home plate three times in the third inning. Wagner stole the show by again going a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate. She also tied her career-high four RBI and recorded her sixth home run of the season.However, it was not the only time a Hoosier hit would clear the fence. Freshman Bri Meyer recorded her first collegiate home run while adding one more run in the sixth to make the game 7-2. The win also marked sophomore Meaghan Murphy’s second conference win in three collegiate conference starts.The loss was Michigan’s first in Big Ten play and 10th overall. The win gave Indiana one apiece against both conference teams it has faced thus far.On Sunday, both teams met for a finale tiebreaker. Ultimately, it would be the Wolverines reversing Saturday’s 7-2 Indiana win to defeat the Hoosiers by the same score.The Hoosiers failed to score early after forfeiting two runners in scoring position from fielder’s choice outs in the first inning.“I think if we just scored when we had runners on, it would’ve helped,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “We had girls on and no outs. We need to be able to score there. If we do, then Michigan isn’t so loose and free and fine.”Following another Michigan run in the top of the fourth, the Hoosiers attempted a late-inning rally as they have numerous times this season.Junior Samantha Heyman started a rally in the bottom of the fifth, scoring a single on a dropped pop fly from right field. Sophomore Jenna Abraham then followed with a double to move Heyman into scoring position. Heyman and Abraham then both scored off of a groundout RBI from junior Kelsey Brannon and Meyer, respectively, to bring the game within three going into the sixth.However, in the next series, Michigan hitter Amanda Chidester blasted a home run into the scoreboard, concluding her perfect day of hitting and concluding any hopes of a Hoosier rally.The Hoosiers will face rival Purdue this weekend at the IU Softball Field. Gardner said she looks to use this weekend’s 1-2 series as motivation for the upcoming conference games.“We’re going to be working on mental toughness,” Gardner said. “We’re having too many mental breakdowns, and we need to be better.”
(03/30/12 3:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Two separate streaks clash this weekend at the IU Softball Field. Indiana (16-15, 1-2) this season currently has the sixth-best home winning streak in the NCAA at 15 games straight. Its last loss at home coincidentally took place nearly a year ago in a loss to Minnesota.No. 20 Michigan (22-9 3-0) comes into Bloomington this weekend on a five-game win streak during the past week.IU Coach Michelle Gardner said the win streak has been great for the team this season.“We’re not really paying much attention to what happened last year with Michigan,” Gardner said. “We’re really trying to focus on what we need to do well this weekend to keep the streak alive.”The last time the two teams met, the Hoosiers upset the then-No. 3 Wolverines on Michigan’s home field. The perfect chance for revenge presents itself in the face of the Wolverines to wreck the streak on Indiana’s home field this weekend.The win last year has taken a different role in players’ preparations for this weekend’s play.For example, senior infielder Samantha Berenter remembers the win in preparation for this weekend.“That game was a game I will never forget,” Berenter said. “It’s something we’ve been talking about on the team pretty regularly. I’ve been thinking about how excited we were and having them come to our field is kind of our advantage now as well.”Berenter has had an upswing in hitting consistency this season. Coming into this weekend’s games she has a .319 batting average, and the second-most RBI for the team with 16.“I’m really trying to step up and be a leader here,” Berenter said. “I think it’s important for me but also important for my teammates that you can bounce back and come back from anything.”On the other hand, sophomore outfielder Jenna Abraham has kept the Michigan memory in the back of her mind as she gears up for what she thinks will be a different style game.“They have a lot of new players, we have a lot of new players,” Abraham said. “It’s going to be a battle. They are a good team.”Berenter and Abraham will play a role in whether the Hoosiers can hang on to their win streak this weekend. One player is only in her second collegiate year, and the other is a seasoned veteran. However, both will compete to keep the streak alive.“Being that it’s Michigan trying to wreck it makes it that much bigger,” Berenter said. “It’s all about protecting your home field.”
(03/26/12 2:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Indiana Hoosiers 16-5 (1-2) opened Big Ten play this weekend facing the Ohio State Buckeyes 16-11 (2-1) in Columbus, Ohio.The Hoosiers split the opening games Saturday with a 4-3 loss and a 4-1 victory, respectively.In game one, Indiana rallied back to within one run after giving up three in the bottom of the second. Sophomore Jenna Abraham started the rally off by scoring with Heather Nelson from a single by Kelsey Brannon.Brannon went 2-for-3 in the game after notching those two RBI.In the top of the sixth, the Hoosiers continued the rally after Abraham got the bats started with a bunt single. She moved into scoring position after freshman infielder Shannon Cawley’s sacrifice bunt.With no outs left junior infielder Amanda Wagner sent out a double to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh.Freshman pitcher Lora Olson retired the side to put the game into extra innings.Olson went the distance in the game, recording seven strikeouts and allowing four runs on eight hits.The rally ended when the Buckeyes shut out the Hoosiers in the top of the eighth. Indiana intentionally walked Alicia Herron, and she eventually scored the go-ahead on a double by Evelyn Carrillo.However, in Saturday’s game two the Hoosiers regrouped and came away with their first Big Ten win of the season. The day of firsts did not end there.Sophomore pitcher Meaghan Murphy picked up her first career conference win in the circle as well. Murphy nearly shut out the normally explosive offense of the Buckeyes.Although she allowed eight hits, she gave up just one unearned run against a team that is currently averaging more than five runs per game. Murphy also shut down Herron, a player who currently has the fourth-best batting average in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers were slow to get their bats going in the first game, but Indiana found its way again in the second game. Six batters recorded hits, and Cawley led the team going 3-for-4 with one run. Freshman first baseman Brianna Meyer also had a hot hand, going 2-for-4 in the game.Hoosier scoring came from three Buckeye errors that turned into unearned runs, and Samantha Heyman recorded the lone RBI with a single to right field.The win split the weekend before the Hoosiers faced the Buckeyes once more in a Sunday afternoon tiebreaker.The Sunday game resulted in a 7-3 loss. Although the hits remained tied at nine, the Buckeyes found a way to convert nearly all of them to runs.After taking a 2-0 lead at the top of the third inning, the Hoosiers allowed the Buckeyes three runs during the next two series to lose the lead. However, the Hoosiers tied the game back up at 3-3 in the top of the sixth only to give up an additional four runs in the bottom of the inning. The four-run deficit could not be reeled in during the last series.Despite being outscored, Hoosier hitting fared well against one of the Big Ten’s premier pitchers in Endicott. During the final game senior catcher Cassie Gogreve went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore infielder Shelby Gogreve went 3-for-3. Cawley and Wagner each had an RBI.The Hoosiers continue Big Ten play next weekend by starting a six-game homestand beginning with Michigan and ending with Purdue on April 7-8.
(03/23/12 2:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It could not have been a better time to start heating up in the Midwest this week, as Big Ten play kicks into action for the Hoosier softball team this weekend in Columbus, Ohio.Coming off a 4-0 sweep at the Hoosier Classic this past weekend, the Hoosiers (15-13) look to continue their winning ways heading into the next stage of their thus-far successful season.“We just played well all weekend,” IU Coach Michelle Gardnersaid. “We are making adjustments, and that’s what I like to see. I’m thrilled now it’s time to go into Big Ten.”The Hoosiers are red hot prior to facing the Buckeyes this weekend. In the past 10 games, Indiana went 7-3, with its only losses coming to No. 7 Oklahoma on Oklahoma’s home field.This year’s pre-season featured a mix of different quality teams to prepare the Hoosiers for what they’ll face the rest of the season. Gardner said although the anticipation to get into conference play has been tough, it was good they got a chance to play out the pre-season schedule.“I think we’ve kind of covered the gamut,” Gardner said. “I think we played top-level competition, medium competition and competition we should’ve beat. Really, that’s all we can do in preseason to get prepared for Big Ten, and now it’s time to go.”Seven of Indiana’s starters are batting higher than .300 this season, and four players have at least three home runs in their columns. Sophomore Jenna Abraham has five already this season.“(Junior) Samantha Heyman has stepped up. (Senior) Samantha Berenter has stepped up. (Junior) Amanda Wagner has been moved around the field a bit, and Jenna Abraham is tearing the cover off the ball,” Gardner said. “I think collectively we’ve done some real good things defensively and offensively.”However, while the Hoosiers are in the top half of many Big Ten stat charts this season, the Buckeyes are right there with them.Indiana will face an Ohio State (14-10) team that shares the same makeup this weekend: strong hitting in the beginning of the lineup mixed with standout pitching on the defensive end.Most likely, the two pitchers Indiana will face are senior Oregon transfer Mikayla Endlcott and sophomore Melanie Nichols.Endlcott has recorded a 1.85 ERA this season with eight wins in 19 appearances. She has struck out 99 batters in 94.2 innings pitched.Nichols is coming off a season-ending injury that redshirted her this past year. Her freshman year, she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. This season she has five wins in 12 appearances and allowed 66 hits in 48 innings pitched with a 4.38 ERA.Indiana pitchers freshman Lora Olson and sophomore Meaghan Murphy will likely share the task of bringing down the Buckeyes’ hitting led by senior shortstop Alicia Herron.Herron leads the team in hits with 27, runs with 22 and RBI with 29. She holds a .422 batting average and a whopping .969 slugging percentage.No matter who the Hoosiers face in the Big Ten this year, Gardner is confident her players will get the job done.“We’ve had to compete every weekend regardless of who was on the other side of the field,” Gardner said. “I don’t want to look at who’s on the other side of the field and make any judgments. I just want them to compete.”
(03/19/12 3:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>On Sunday, the Hoosiers (15-13) wrapped up the Hoosier Classic with a 9-1 win in five innings against the University of Illinois-Chicago.The win marked the first time this season the Hoosiers have swept an entire weekend.Freshman Lora Olson got the win, pitching all five innings and allowing just five hits. Senior Samantha Berenter led the bats with 2-for-3 with three RBI.Freshman Brianna Meyer and sophomore Jenna Abraham each collected two RBI, and juniors Amanda Wagner and Samantha Heyman each shared one.Wagner recorded her fourth home run of the season in the win as well.This weekend’s tournament marked the first weekend the Hoosiers were able to play in front of their local fans. After five weekends of travel to away tournaments, the Hoosiers made the 10-minute drive to the IU Softball Field for competition.For the rest of the IU softball team, that drive was a relaxing break from flight plans and jet lag. For junior Kelsey Brannon, that drive was just like home.Brannon, a walk-on outfielder from Bloomington, said the opportunity to play at home in front of her family is an opportunity that never gets old.“It’s definitely just nice because last year we started developing a good local fan base with our success going into postseason,” Brannon said. “It will really be fun, getting the community back to our games. Especially my family: My family has come to a lot of the trips, but now my grandparents will get to come.”Brannon said the softball atmosphere has always been present in her household. Her father, her main inspiration and coach, has been there helping her with her game since she first picked up a ball.“He has always been my coach on all my traveling teams and my recreation league teams,” Brannon said. “Him seeing me play has always been really important to me. He played baseball, so at least he had that background coming in.”The notion of staying in Bloomington and playing softball for the Hoosiers had always teased the mind of a young Brannon. It wasn’t until IU Softball Coach Michelle Gardner offered her a walk-on position her senior year at Bloomington High School North that she knew she would actually complete that dream, she said.“When I was younger, I always thought it would be the coolest thing to come and play for IU,” Brannon said. “Originally I wasn’t going here, then after my senior year I came to coach’s camp and she offered me a walk-on spot. I thought maybe I’d want a smaller school for academic reasons, and I just wasn’t a big-college person, but I just couldn’t pass this up. I definitely wanted to stay.”Gardner attributes much of the work ethic of the softball team in its entirety to Brannon’s work ethic.“She has helped us with whatever we have asked of her,” Gardner said. “She has a great work ethic, and she is a pleasure to be around. The other girls feed off of her work ethic.”Being a walk-on, Brannon said she has seen no difference in the importance of hard work for the good of the team. She said it doesn’t matter if you are a walk-on or a scholarship athlete — you are still putting in the same amount of work.“Everybody has to fight for a position anyways,” Brannon said. “With my personal work ethic, it really fits me that I was able to do that.”During her career at IU, Brannon has seen some changes in her role with the team.Her freshman year, she played in 19 games and had one hit in three at-bats. Her sophomore year, she played in 37 games primarily as a pinch runner and had just one at-bat.This year, she has played in 20 of the Hoosiers’ 28 games this season. She has recorded a .275 batting average, knocking in four RBI on 40 at-bats.“All summer I worked with my old travel ball coach, and we hit the entire time,” Brannon said. “It was like a perfect summer. I just kept working really hard and continued that work into this season.”Brannon is the only player on the team from Bloomington.Prior to away tournaments, the rest of the Indiana softball team boards the plane and heads away from campus.Brannon boards the plane and heads away from her childhood home.“It’s weird playing college ball at home, seeing the stuff I’ve seen all my life and playing ball just down the street from where I started my career,” Brannon said. “It makes it seem different for sure.”
(03/19/12 3:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Hoosiers faced difficult competition during break before returning to Bloomington for the Hoosier Classic on Friday.On March 9-11, the Hoosiers competed in the Oklahoma Spring Festival in Norman, Okla. The Hoosiers finished the weekend 2-3, winning both games against Wichita State (6-18) and losing three games to then-No. 8 Oklahoma (24-3).In the first game against Wichita State, Indiana pulled ahead to a 11-0 shutout in five innings. The Hoosiers put on a hitting clinic going 12-for-23, earning a .522 team batting average. Senior Heather Nelson went 2-for-3, batting in three of the team’s 10 RBIs.However, in the next game, Oklahoma turned the bats around and gave Indiana a taste of its own medicine in a 14-0 Oklahoma win in five innings.The rest of the tournament stayed close with a 6-3 Hoosier win against Wichita State on March 10, followed by a 4-1 loss to Oklahoma the following day. Oklahoma finished the home tournament, however, with another near shutout, defeating the Hoosiers 12-1 in the final game.The Oklahoma Spring Festival was the fifth in a row for the Hoosiers before they returned to Bloomington on Friday.In Friday’s games, Indiana defeated the University of Illinois-Chicago 4-3 and Central Michigan 5-3.Both wins were the outcomes of late-inning rallies from junior Amanda Wagner and seniors Cassie Gogreve, Samantha Berenter and Lindsay Callahan.Junior Kelsey Brannon also knocked in the insurance run in the Central Michigan game.On Saturday, the Hoosiers continued their undefeated tournament play streak with a 4-2 win against Wright State.The Hoosiers went into Sunday’s game against UIC just one win away from completing their first weekend sweep of the season on their first weekend home stand of the season.— Justin Shockey
(03/10/12 5:35pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This weekend the Hoosiers (9-10) head to Norman, Okla. for the OU Spring Festival. The Festival will feature two games against Wichita State (6-11) and three games against No. 8 Oklahoma (15-3).The Wichita State Shockers look to be an easy matchup for the Hoosiers. Only four of their starters hold a batting average over .300 while the Shockers have given up 23 home runs this season, only scoring nine themselves.The two go-to pitchers for the Shockers are junior Katie Armagost and sophomore Sloan Anderson. Neither of these pitchers have an ERA under 5.00.Oklahoma, like Stanford last week, should hold stiffer competition. In its first matchup against a ranked opponent last week, Indiana took No. 10 Stanford down to the wire, falling 7-3 eventually in extra innings.The Hoosiers look to contend with this weekend’s matchup against No. 8 Oklahoma on all three days of competition.Oklahoma’s season ended in the College World Series last year and this year 12 of the letterwinners from that team return to face the Hoosiers.Indiana will no doubt need to overcome powerful Oklahoma pitching to have a shot at any of the three matchups this weekend.Junior Kellani Ricketts will be heading into this weekend after being named National Player of the Week last weekend. Ricketts leads the Sooner pitching roster with 132 strikeouts in 75.1 innings. Junior Michelle Gascologne rounds it out with an 0.95 ERA during an undefeated 6-0 record this season to put on her resume.Oklahoma will no doubt be a challenge, but the Sooners can be beaten. Stanford proved that in a 5-0 romping on Feb. 24, one week prior to the near Hoosiers’ upset.The schedule this week is as follows:Friday
(03/05/12 5:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Late innings were all the rage this weekend at the DeMarini Invitational in Fullerton, Calif.During Indiana’s 2-3 weekend, the Hoosiers scored 12 of their 19 total runs in the final three innings of this weekend’s games.The weekend began with a matchup against No. 10 Stanford (18-3).The Hoosiers (9-10) were able to stay with the Cardinals throughout seven innings. The Hoosiers answered Cardinal scores twice in the following at-bat. Stanford eventually broke free with the game tied at 3-3 going into extra innings. While perfect at the plate with a 4-for-4 performance, Cardinal freshman Leah White hit a two-run homer to lead off extra innings. Stanford then followed with two more runs to win the game 7-3.Freshman Shannon Cawley led the Hoosiers with a solo homerun on two hits against Stanford’s All-American Teagan Gerhart.In Friday’s second game, Oregon State (17-5) handed the Hoosiers their second loss of the day at 4-3.After giving up three runs in the first three innings, the Hoosiers were shutout by junior pitcher Marina Demore. Demore shutout six of Indiana’s nine batters throughout the first six innings.Indiana attempted a rally late in the final inning after a leadoff walk from junior Amanda Wagner. Wagner advanced to second on a groundout by senior Samantha Berenter. Senior catcher Cassie Gogreve then drove Wagner in on a double to right field. Junior Samantha Heyman followed by knocking a fly ball over the right fielders head with an RBI triple.Demore then gave up a wild pitch, allowing Heyman to take home plate on the pass ball to make it 4-3. Junior Breanna Saucedo popped up a fly ball to end the Hoosiers’ hopes of completing the rally.In Saturday’s second game, the Hoosiers defeated Florida International (8-11) 7-5 in a late-game scoring frenzy.After Saucedo reached during a Brianna Meyer rundown between first and second, Cawley scored an RBI sacrifice fly to put the Hoosiers up 2-0 in the first inning. However, the Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 5-5. Heyman answered the rally in the sixth with a single to load the bases. Senior Heather Nelson followed with an RBI groundout. Heyman then ended the Panthers’ hopes in the seventh with another RBI single to end the game at 7-5.Following the win, the Hoosiers gave up with a 4-1 loss against Southern Mississippi (5-9).Indiana faulted early, giving up three runs early in the first inning. Wagner attempted to mount a comeback by recording a career-high three hits on four at-bats.The Hoosiers had trouble reaching home, stranding 11 runners on base and leaving 10 in scoring position.The Hoosiers picked up their second win in the last game of the tournament Sunday against East Carolina (7-10). The ever-improving duo of Wagner, Gogreve and sophomore Jenna Abraham hitting and Olson pitching grew more evident in the 5-4 victory.After the Pirates went ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning, Abraham led off with a solo home run to center field. Saucedo then drew a walk, and Meyer moved her to second to give the Hoosiers the go-ahead run in scoring position as Wagner stepped up to the plate.Wagner drove a single back up the line to drive Saucedo in for a 5-3 lead to win the game.The Hoosiers finished 2-3 this weekend with close games in nearly every matchup. The team will travel to Norman, Okla., next weekend for the Oklahoma Spring Festival before returning to play the Hoosier Classic at home from March 16-18.
(03/02/12 2:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The DeMarini Invitational this weekend marks the first instance the Hoosiers (7-7) face a ranked opponent this season. IU Coach Michelle Gardner said she believes the Hoosiers have the potential to do great things if they stay consistent with their past wins.“We have to continue to play with the same intensity that we played with this past weekend,” Gardner said. “We had it. I saw it on the back end of Las Vegas. Last weekend, I saw it, and we just need to keep rolling with that.”In the opening game of the tournament for Indiana, the Hoosiers play No. 11 Stanford (13-3) at 2 p.m. Friday.The seven returning upperclassmen lead the Cardinals in their run to the top 10 this season. The main batting focus from Stanford appears to be Ashley Hansen, a two-time All-American and reigning Collegiate Player of the Year. This season, Hansen has batted .341 and recorded 13 RBI.The Hoosiers will likely see Teagan Gerhart in the circle. Gerhart has a 61-20 career record with 505 strikeouts. This past weekend she led the sweep of the Cathedral City Classic. After the performance, she was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week after allowing just one run in 31.2 innings with 30 strikeouts.Stanford will meet Indiana while coming off a seven-game winning streak.In the next game, IU will take on Oregon State (13-4) at 6:45 p.m.The Beavers are coming to the DeMarini Invitational while on a five-game winning streak. Oregon State’s pitching this season has been successful, thanks to Marina Demore. Demore is 5-1 this season with a 1.62 ERA and 45 strikeouts. In her past 16.2 innings, she did not give up a run.IU will plays its first game Saturday against Florida International (7-7).The Panthers’ biggest strength is their hitting this season. Offensively minded, the Panthers hold a team batting average of .244 while outscoring their opponents 64-to-39. Senior Ashley McClain has 15 hits, eight of which have been higher than a single. Because of this power, McClain has a .667 slugging percentage thus far.IU’s second game Saturday is against Southern Mississippi (4-5).After most of their second tournament was cancelled, the Golden Eagles dropped three of five games. With five seniors returning from this past season, experience is a virtue they possess. The Golden Eagles’ pitching roster is full of experience in Gabby Luciani and Beth Dietrich. Luciani is 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA. Dietrich has allowed 10 runs in 17 innings this season.The Hoosiers’ final game Sunday is against the East Carolina Pirates (7-6).The Pirates are led primarily by underclassmen. The top two hitters for East Carolina are sophomores Jill Jelnick and Alex Fieldhouse. Jelnick has kept a .355 batting average while picking up six RBI. Fieldhouse has batted in 10 runs this season with 12 hits.Mixing ranked and unranked opponents alike, this weekend’s lineup is unlike anything the Hoosiers have faced this season. However, Gardner said she believes no matter who the team is playing, her players will need to come out with everything they have.“They all better be the same. We have to go out like that,” Gardner said. “It doesn’t matter who’s on the other side of the field because we still have to do our business.”
(03/01/12 4:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Its record ratio has stayed the same moving from 2-2 to 7-7, but the IU softball team has morphed into a different team since the beginning of the season.Prior to the Hoosiers’ first home stand during spring break, the girls will continue their next westward journey to Fullerton, Calif., this weekend to compete in the DeMarini Invitational.Hoosier fans have yet to see the women compete locally. However, there have been changes in game statistics from early this season until recently.In the first weekend of the season at the Hotel Encanto Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M., Indiana pitching allowed 23 runs and 42 hits in four games. However, last weekend in the Phyllis Rafter Memorial in Woodstock, Ga., Indiana allowed just 10 runs and 35 hits in five total games.Most of this can be attributed to an increase in successful fielding percentages, but pitching is playing an important role, as well.Indiana pitching this season has consisted of just two young players. Freshman Lora Olson hit the path of her collegiate career running, pitching a total of 47 innings in first three tournaments as a collegiate pitcher.Sophomore Meaghan Murphy also spends time in the circle.Although Murphy is a sophomore, she gained little experience pitching as a freshman last season. During her first collegiate start, she pitched in five innings. Those five innings were her only experience in the circle last season. Murphy was better known for her fielding, making seven starts in right field and six starts at first base.This season she has added more than 41 innings thus far. Both girls’ ERAs have gotten better as the season continues, and IU Coach Michelle Gardner said she sees the improvement as a good thing for the team.“Our pitchers are getting better, and we really need to have some better defense,” Gadner said. “Now that we’re getting what we need, we need to make sure that we’re doing good things in the field, also.” Hitting, although a strength this season, has improved throughout the season, as well. Scoring early and getting out ahead has been a virtue for the Hoosiers recently. During the opening weekend, the Hoosiers averaged .75 runs per inning within the first three innings of each of their games.That number has increased to .866 runs per inning within the first three innings of last weekend’s tournament in Georgia. Coach Gardner said she attributes this increase in hitting strength to her two consistent senior hitters, Cassie Gogreve and Samantha Berenter.Berenter, along with Olson and Murphy, was named to the All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament last weekend after posting a .500 batting average last week.“I think Samantha is doing a great job,” Gardner said. “I’ve been waiting for her to step up, and she definitely has. I hope that continues.”The team continues to grow from where it was at the beginning of February. However, Gardner said her team can still make adjustments for the next game. “I’m still moving things around a little bit,” Gardner said. “I think overall we’ve had some good things, but there are a couple places where we’ve had some repetitive errors, and we need to make some changes. So that is what I’m going to do.”
(02/27/12 2:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Following a 1-4 showing this past week, Indiana (7-7) exploded offensively during four wins this weekend, finishing 4-1 in the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament in Woodstock, Ga.Senior Cassie Gogreve spent the weekend hitting consistently while driving in runs. The catcher picked up six RBI while going 5-for-16 for a .312 average throughout the weekend. Although she has lead the team in RBI this season, Gogreve said she prefers a different type of leadership.“I like to lead the team through intensity,” Gogreve said. “I always try to play very intense. I like getting the pitchers and the rest of the team going. I’ve always considered myself a pitcher’s catcher.”However, Gogreve didn’t give the only offensive effort from the Hoosiers this weekend.During the tournament winning streak, the Hoosiers recorded a total of 42 hits with seven different players recording at least one RBI. Hoosier pitching matched the offensive effort in full stride, as well.Freshman Lora Olson picked up three wins in row and allowed only three runs during 14 innings in those three games. Sophomore Meaghan Murphy also recorded her second win of the season while going the distance for the second time this season.In the first game Friday, the Hoosiers shut out the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (6-2) by a score of 6-0.In the win, junior Breanna Saucedo went 2-for-4 while scoring one run. Sophomore Jenna Abraham and junior Amanda Wagner each kept their hitting streaks alive. Freshman Shannon Cawley and senior Samantha Berenter each had a pair of RBI, as well.Olson went the distance in the circle, allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out five.In the second game Friday, the Hoosiers rallied late in the seventh to seal a 2-1 win against Southeastern Louisiana (2-13).While the game was one out away from extra innings, Saucedo hit a single to left field to drive in freshman Brianna Meyer from second to win the game.Saturday started with an 5-4 Indiana win against St. Louis (10-5).The Hoosiers got the bats going early in the game with an Abraham RBI single to left field, followed by a two-run home run from Gogreve over the right center field fence.Olson picked up her third straight win while allowing three runs in three innings and striking out four. Murphy picked up the save with three strikeouts and just one unearned run.In the second game Saturday, the Hoosiers defeated the Central Arkansas Bears (11-7) 6-2.In a game that totaled 13 IU hits, four Hoosiers had at least two hits. Cawley led the team with three RBI, including a two-run home run in the fifth that put the Hoosiers up 5-0.Berenter also had a career-high three hits, including a solo home run in the sixth. This consistency from Berenter was in full effect all weekend. In the weekend’s five games, she kept a .500 average, going 7-for-14. Berenter also holds the team’s highest season average, .429.“I worked a lot on my game this summer, working out my confidence in my hitting,” Berenter said. “Confidence has really helped this season just by relaxing going up there and believing in my stuff has helped me perform it.”Murphy went the distance in the win after allowing just one hit in the first three innings.In the Hoosiers’ final game Sunday, they were defeated 3-2 by the Bradley Braves (7-8). The Hoosiers led the game 2-1 going into the bottom of the seventh. Bradley scored two runs to end the Hoosiers’ hopes for their first undefeated weekend of the season.Although the Hoosiers had their most successful tournament run thus far this season, IU Coach Michelle Gardner said she is not done working the girls hard in practice.“We did everything well that we did last Saturday and Sunday,” Gardner said. “Our pitching was more consistent, and we got ahead early. There are still things we need to work on, though. We will still work hard this week.”
(02/24/12 4:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After two games Friday, the Hoosiers will gear up to face three experienced teams in the rest of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament in Woodstock, Ga., on Saturday and Sunday.Saturday will begin with the St. Louis Billikens (7-4) at 1 p.m. Top hitters for the Billikens include junior catcher Alyson Brand and junior outfielder Jessica Buschjost. Brand has homered three times in 25 at-bats this season for a .520 slugging percentage. Buschjost has a .325 batting average through 40 at-bats this season.Sophomore Julian Austin or senior Kelcie Matesa will likely pitch against the Hoosiers. Austin has the top ERA for the Billikens with 1.64. She has struck out 20 batters during 25.2 innings of play. Matesa has 31 strikeouts through 28 innings pitched.The Billikens are coming off of a 3-2 weekend at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament in Fort Meyers, Fla.The Hoosiers’ second Saturday game will be played against the hard-hitting Central Arkansas Bears (8-5) at 3:30 p.m.Half of the Bears’ starting lineup holds batting averages during .400. Of those five players, three have slugging percentages of more than .600. One of those three, senior Kasey Britt, has recorded four home runs with 12 RBIs while holding a .816 slugging percentage this season.The Hoosiers will most likely see the faces of junior Kelsie Armstrong or senior Cami Newsome in the circle during their Saturday evening game. Armstrong has recorded 47 strikeouts in 42.2 innings this season. Newsome has recorded 20 strikeouts in 27 innings.Newsome has also gone undefeated in each of her five starts this season.On Sunday, the Hoosiers will play their final game of the tournament against the Bradley Braves (4-6) at 10:30 a.m.Three of Bradley’s four losses have come against top-10 opponents. On Feb. 11, the Braves were shutout 5-0 by No. 3 California. Then, on Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, the Braves lost 3-2 and 3-0, respectively, against future IU opponent No. 8 Stanford.The Braves pitching roster features sophomore Madeline Lynch-Crumrine, senior Lindsay Hufeld and junior Mackenzie Camp. The Hoosiers could likely face any of these three pitchers in the last game of the tournament. Lynch-Crumine is the go-to with seven appearances, but has allowed 17 runs in 40 innings.The diversity of hitting this season from the Hoosiers will be able to match the diversity in pitching they will see this weekend.So far, every one of the main starters this season has at least two RBIs. Senior Cassie Gogreve and junior Amanda Wagner each share eight, and sophomore Jenna Abraham has six.In the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic last week, a pair of freshmen caught the hitting fever, as well. Lora Olson and Shannon Cawley each connected for their first collegiate home runs during Indiana’s weekend in Las Vegas.“They both have a lot of power,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “It was really fortunate for us that they came in and hit the way that they did.”Going into the final stages of this weekend, the Hoosiers will attempt to improve their 3-6 record before heading to California next weekend.“I think that we’re kind of in a good place right now,” Gardner said. “I just want them to bring the same effort that they ended last week with.”
(02/23/12 4:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Following a difficult start to the weekend in Las Vegas, the Hoosiers look to keep the momentum going after their 8-5 win against Memphis this past Sunday.The team had the chance to get outside for practice Wednesday afternoon and worked on pitching and hitting. IU Coach Michelle Gardner said no matter what team the Hoosiers face this weekend, they will be prepared for every game.“We’re working really hard on our pitchers and getting out of the zone or into the zone,” Gardner said. “Right now, we need to win ball games, so I think it’s real important that we are battling and that we don’t need to look at who’s on the other side of the field. We’re just doing what we need to do.”This weekend, Indiana will travel to the Phyllis Rafter Memorial in Woodstock, Ga. The tournament, played at Kennesaw State University, is a new experience for the women, who are making the team’s first-ever appearance at the event.The Hoosiers first face the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3-1). After a three-game win streak to start the season, the Colonels lost their final game of the Quality Inn Classic against Troy University Sunday. The opening three-game streak was the team’s second-best start to a season ever, as the 2003 team started out 5-0.In the third game of the streak, the Colonels defeated No. 5 Missouri 6-5 in 10 innings.The Hoosiers might have to face freshman standout Shaylon Robb in the circle after she gets a chance to rest throughout the week. In Robb’s collegiate debut last week, she allowed just five earned runs in 21 total innings. In the Missouri upset, she pitched eight of the total 10 innings and recorded seven strikeouts against a team that had a .478 slugging percentage last year.There is a core group of strong hitters in the opening portion of the Colonel lineup. However, the four through nine batters were weaker in the loss to Troy last week. Three of them had only one hit, and the others went 0-for-3 in the loss.In the second game Friday, the Hoosiers will face the Southeastern Louisiana Lions (1-7). The Lions have yet to find their groove this season. In their home tournament season opener, the Lions lost their first three games before earning their first win against Northern Illinois. In the first three games, the Lions gave up 25 total runs while only scoring eight. After a painful start at the plate, the Lions hit .357 in their 10-2 win against Northern Illinois.However, Southeastern Louisiana returned to their opening game woes and allowed 42 runs in their next four games during a four game losing streak.The Lions will enter the game against IU after playing two games in two nights after facing LSU on Tuesday night and Southern Mississippi on Wednesday night before meeting up with the Hoosiers in Friday’s evening game.The Hoosiers will play three more games throughout the tournament. However, Gardner said she stays focused on her own team rather than the competition.“At this point, to me, it’s not about the other teams,” Gardner said. “It’s got to be about us and taking care of our own business.”
(02/20/12 4:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Early innings proved a struggle for the Hoosier hardball team’s defense this weekend in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas.Indiana (3-6) gave up a total of 22 runs during the first three innings of all of its games combined this weekend, scoring only 8 itself.“Anytime you give up runs early, I think you get a little tense,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “You are always having to battle back, and sometimes you’re too far out of reach to battle back.”In Indiana’s first game, Utah (6-3) recorded five runs going into the fourth inning before Hoosier senior catcher Cassie Gogreve added two RBIs. However, the Utes opened it back up by scoring two in the bottom of the sixth, then shutting out the Hoosiers in the top of the seventh to end the game in a 7-2 loss for the Hoosiers.Game two against Long Beach State (5-4) ended in a 13-3 loss for the Hoosiers after the 49ers recorded five runs in the first inning. Senior infielder Samantha Berenter opened the Hoosiers’ run column with her first home run of the season. Berenter knocked the ball over the fence in left center field after junior infielder Amanda Wagner stole second base. Junior outfielder Kelsey Brannon drove in Berenter on a line-drive single for Indiana’s last run of the game.The Hoosiers’ opening game Saturday featured heavily favored Brigham Young University (7-3). The Cougars found themselves playing catch-up after Wagner hit her third home run of the season to put the Hoosiers up 4-1 in the top of the third inning. However, in the bottom of the fourth, Indiana allowed three runs to tie the game at 4-4. Sophomore outfielder Jenna Abraham recorded her third home run of the season in the fifth, followed in the seventh by freshman infielder Shannon Cawley’s first collegiate home run to put the Hoosiers up 7-5.“I went out there just trying to read the defense and go with the pitch, and it just so happened I got a good pitch and just went with it,” Cawley said. “It’s always fun to get a home run, but it’s better knowing that you helped your team stay in or go up in a game.”After giving up a walk early in the inning, freshman pitcher Lora Olson struck out her next two opponents. However, after she walked the next batter, BYU loaded the bases with two outs. Olson then gave up a walk for a forced run, and the next batter drove a single down the third base line to knock in the tying and go-ahead runs for an 8-7 Indiana loss.“That’s the moment that every pitcher dreams for to learn from,” Olson said. “Even though we lost, we did learn from it. Sometimes that is more valuable than coming away with a win.”In Saturday’s second game, Indiana allowed Utah State (5-2) to score four runs in the first inning with three straight singles followed by a grand slam. Afterward, the Aggies prevented the Hoosiers from getting their first hit until the fifth inning. Gogreve broke the streak with a double to left field. Sophomore catcher Jena Malmen followed with an RBI double to end the scoring shutout. With bases loaded in the final inning, the second baseman for Utah State ended Indiana’s hopes for a rally by catching a line drive, ending the game in a 6-3 loss for Indiana.Indiana left the tournament with an 8-5 win against Memphis (2-8). Olson came on to relieve Murphy in the fourth inning before hitting a two-run homer. The home run, tying the game at 4-4, was Olson’s first collegiate hit.The hit was not the only offensive effort from the Hoosiers. Wagner, Gogreve, Cawley, Malmen, Olson and sophomore infielder Breanna Saucedo all recorded at least one RBI in the win.“We made some things go our way, and I think that’s what good teams do,” Gardner said. “We just kept battling. We just were not going to get beat Sunday.”Indiana heads to Woodstock, Ga., for the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament beginning Friday.
(02/17/12 5:19am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Hoosier softball team will continue its season this weekend in Las Vegas at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.Indiana (2-2) faces Utah (2-2) at 2:15 p.m. in its Friday opener.In its previous tournament, Utah hit .360 in its wins against Western Michigan and Portland State. Utah features senior infielder Whitney Holm, who hit three home runs throughout their season opening tournament.The Hoosiers will have to bat around senior pitcher Genarra Nielson. Nielson pitched 17 strikeouts while allowing only five runs in 19 total innings throughout the tournament.The Hoosiers’ next game will be against Long Beach State (3-2).The 49ers swept the Big West Conference weekly honors with their performance this past weekend. Sophomore Erin Jones-Wesley and freshman Leilani Tupua-Tautalatasi were named Pitcher of the Week and Player of the Week, respectively. Young players lay the foundation for this team, as Jones-Wesley went undefeated while pitching 24 strikeouts in three games with a 1.64 ERA. Tupua-Tautalatasi averaged .368 after knocking her first homer of the season in the 49ers win against Fresno State in the final game of the tournament.Opening Saturday the Hoosiers will face Brigham Young University (3-2).After a season-opening 22-5 loss against Oregon State, the Cougars defeated No. 15 Texas A&M 3-2 in the second game of the Kajikawa Classic. Throughout the tournament this past week, senior outfielder Delaney Willard hit .529 while scoring six runs and batting in nine. Williard also collected three home runs. After losing their second game of this past Saturday, BYU defeated its second-straight ranked opponent in a 2-1 win against No. 11 Oregon. The Hoosiers have yet to concede a run against the Cougars, going 2-0 since 2004. The Cougars will look for a successful return to the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic this weekend after going 4-1 this past year, losing only to then-No. 18 Stanford.Following the BYU game, the Hoosiers then face Utah State (2-2).The Aggies feature six returning starters from this past season, including three pitchers: juniors Mandy Harmon and Shelbi Tyteca and senior Dani Chaplin. Junior Christine Thomsen led the Aggies’ offensive power this past week with a .600 slugging percentage while only striking out once in nine at-bats. Indiana has only recorded one win in five games against Utah State.In the final game of the tournament, the Hoosiers are set to face Memphis (2-2).The Tigers, who recently placed fourth in the Conference USA preseason poll, feature junior pitcher Carly Hummel and senior first baseman Jessica Philips. After a loss to No. 2 Alabama in the season opener, the Tigers recorded 11 hits with a six-run inning to defeat this past year’s NCAA regional finalist Jacksonville State in the Mardi Gras Invitational this past weekend.The Hoosiers look to overcome a weekend of stiff competition to keep the momentum going from their crushing 9-1 win against Santa Clara in five innings this past Saturday.
(02/13/12 2:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Home runs were not a rare sight in this weekend’s opening tournament for the Hoosiers. Sophomore Jenna Abraham’s two home runs Friday and junior Amanda Wagner’s two home runs Saturday helped lead the Hoosier softball team to split its four opening weekend games.The Hoosiers (2-2) first faced Devin Miller and the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames. Abraham opened the scoring column for the season in the first inning, scoring after a sacrifice fly from freshman outfielder Brianna Meyer.The next inning, Abraham answered with a line-drive two-run home run over the center field wall.Heading into the sixth inning, the Hoosiers were up 6-0. Then the Flames offense started getting hot.After allowing four runs late in the game, freshman pitcher Lora Olson found herself trying to close the game with a runner at second and the tying run up to bat.With two outs completed, pinch-hitter Kelsey Sturgeon blasted a shot into left field. As the ball approached the fence, Abraham answered the call again by stealing the home run and bringing the ball back over the fence for the win.“I was just thinking, ‘track the ball, stay on it, don’t give up,’” Abraham said. “I knew I was close to the fence, so I was just going to jump and reach over as far as I could, and hopefully I would grab it. I really didn’t know I had it ’til I felt it in my glove.”Olson finished the entire game in the circle for her first collegiate softball start. Abraham finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI, two runs and a home run.“Hitting is something I’ve been working hard toward,” Abraham said. “I’ve been struggling a little bit, but it felt good being able to be confident. The home runs felt good. It’s just one of those things, when you hit it well, you can just tell it’s going to go over.”The next game against New Mexico State ended in a 10-2 loss for the Hoosiers. Sophomore Meaghan Murphy, Indiana’s only returning pitcher, started in the circle.Murphy was able to limit the Aggies to just three runs going into the fifth inning, when they had a 3-0 lead. Olson returned to relieve Murphy, who allowed five runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts, and during the final inning and a third, the Aggies scored another five runs on three hits.In the sixth, Abraham hammered another two-run home run to complete the final score of 10-2.On Saturday, Indiana opened up against Saint Mary’s. Olson started, but Murphy came in to relieve after the Gaels recorded six runs with no outs in the bottom of the first.Down 7-1 after the first inning, the Hoosiers fought for a comeback. Abraham looked as if she could steal the show again after opening things back up with a stolen base after a single. However, Saturday was Wagner’s day.“Friday, I got the first game jitters out and was a lot more confident in the box on Saturday,” Wagner said. “I want to be a more consistent hitter.”The junior power-hitter blasted a two-run home run to center field to keep the game close at 7-3.Hoosier hitting, however, ended with the home run, and the game ended with a 8-3 loss.Coming off of two losses, the Hoosiers looked for revenge against Santa Clara. Everyone showed up to play in the 9-1 win against the Broncos.“We came out and played well and did a lot of good things as a team. It’s always good to get those first games under your belt,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “Meaghan threw well, and we hit well. It felt great getting some good performances on the field.”Gogreve drove in a career-high four RBI, including a three-run double. Senior Samantha Berenter went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs. Murphy threw a career-high eight strikeouts.After struggling Friday with a 1-for-6 performance, Wagner found her groove Saturday, notching two home runs while hitting 5-for-6 with five RBI total for the day.“I’m not looking to drive a home run on every at bat,” Wagner said. “I’m perfectly OK with driving a grounder up the middle if it brings in runs. They can trust me to dothat job.”The Sunday afternoon game between the Hoosiers and UTEP was cancelled, ending the tournament at 2-2 for Indiana. The Hoosiers head back west next weekend to compete in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas.
(02/12/12 7:00pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The noon softball game in El Paso, Texas, between the Indiana Hoosiers and the University of Texas at El Paso was cancelled today due to high winds and cold temperatures.The game was supposed to be the final game for both teams participating in the Hotel Encanto tournament. — Justin Shockey
(02/10/12 3:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>During the winter and early spring stints of practice, the team utilized the Mellencamp Pavillion for its warmer practice environment. However, the playing surface of the Pavillion is turf, not dirt.This past week’s warm weather provided them time to practice on the IU Softball Field and a real opportunity to get acquainted with the playing environment they will see the rest of the season.“Sometimes we get a little stagnant inside because you can only do so many things in (Mellencamp Pavillion),” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “When we were able to go outside, we could take ground balls, fly balls and experience warm weather. Everything that you need to play that you normally get the first day, we got.”IU senior catcher Cassie Gogreve said the experience on the field this past week really helped the team get ready for the field conditions on dirt instead of turf.“When we showed up for the first game in Arizona last year, that was the first time we had been in the dirt since October,” Gogreve said. “It’s scary at first when balls bounce between your legs, and so being able to work all those dirt bugs out before the season is great.”Gogreve said the preseason outdoor practices have been essential in developing team coordination without last season’s strength in Morgan Melloh and Sara Olson. The outdoor workouts allowed the team to run realistic preparations rather than just indoor workouts.“Outside, we really got a feel for how the team is going to be this season,” Gogreve said. “We really got to play softball the way it’s supposed to be played and the way we know how.”Gardner said she is excited to see how this season pans out. With so much indoor time this winter, she said she could tell her girls were ready to get outside and get into competition.“I think we’re ready to play, so we’re anxious, and I know I’m anxious, so being back in their shoes where they’re at is hard to explain,” Gardner said. “We’re going to have some jitters. We’re going to do some things we wouldn’t do later in the season. This is our learning curve, so we still have to learn how to do some things early, so that when we get in Big Ten play, we’re ready to play.”The Hoosiers have not seen the five teams they will be playing this weekend. Playing new faces always presents a fresh problem for Indiana coaches. However, Gardner said they feel prepared with their scouting reports for this weekend.“There are a lot of teams that you can get scouting reports from,” Gardner said. “But some of it, too, is that it is their first game also, so who knows what will happen?”Victory or not, Indiana’s seniors are ready to get the season underway. Senior outfielder Heather Nelson said she would like to keep the momentum going from this past season’s winning record.“I want to go full out and have a good year after doing well last year,” Nelson said. “I just want to keep that ball rolling and keep the team up.”Gogreve said she hopes to overcome the pressures of being a senior on a young team. She said she has plans for this season and hopes to lead the team to them.“I definitely feel the pressure of it because there’s a lot to do,” Gogreve said. “There is a lot I want to get done as a senior to leave the team with. It’s really sad and bittersweet to finish up, but I’m counting down the amount of times I can lace up my cleats again.”The Hoosiers departed Thursday afternoon to the Hotel Encanto Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. They start their season against the University of Illinois-Chicago at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a game against New Mexico State at 7:30 p.m. the same night.On Saturday, they contend in a doubleheader against Saint Mary’s at 3:30 p.m. and Santa Clara at 5:30 p.m.On Sunday, they head to El Paso, Texas, for a noon game against UTEP.
(02/08/12 4:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The heat was not the only thing rising in Bloomington last week. The hearts of the Hoosier softball team rose with the hopes of another successful season to match 2011’s 37-18 performance.With the increase in temperature, the Hoosiers took to the IU Softball Field for the first time this year, getting ready for their season opener against the University of Illinois-Chicago on Friday in the Hotel Encanto Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M.The Hoosiers will have their fair share of traveling completed within the next month, as they will play a total of five away tournaments before returning to Bloomington during spring break for the Hoosier Classic.The first four tournaments feature fresh faces, compared to last season. However, the Hoosiers will face tough competition against Brigham Young University on Feb. 18 in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas. They will also open the DeMarini Invitational facing No. 9 Stanford on March 2 in Fullerton, Calif. The Oklahoma Spring Festival is the Hoosiers’ next destination for the second year in a row. This will feature a rematch against No. 5 Oklahoma after a 9-0 loss in last year’s Festival.The Hoosier Classic will feature a rematch with the University of Illinois-Chicago and Central Michigan. Last season, Central Michigan was Indiana’s first victim at home.After tournament time, Big Ten play will kick into full effect with a road trip to Ohio State on March 24 to 25. The Hoosiers then return home to face No. 15 Michigan on March 31 and April 1.During the 2011 season, the Hoosiers recorded wins against the next seven opponents in this spring’s season: Purdue, Indiana State, Penn State, Ball State, Northwestern and Iowa.May 5 to 6 will feature Nebraska’s first visit to Bloomington as a Big Ten contender. The Cornhuskers are placed at No. 21 in the preseason poll.The schedule features a group of new competition and returnees alike. Of the 11 teams returning on the schedule this year, nine were defeated by IU.The 2011 season will most likely serve as a benchmark for the Hoosiers this year. After finishing second in the Big Ten last season, the Hoosiers marked their best finish in 17 years and their most wins in 15 years. While racking up a 14-game win streak, the Hoosiers defeated Michigan for the first time since 1996.In that game, the duo of seniors Morgan Melloh and Sara Olson played important roles, as Melloh struck out 14 in eight innings and Olson recorded a pair of home runs to win the game.These two will be playing a slightly different role this season. After finishing their senior years last season, they have stayed on staff as student assistant coaches to help the girls with another season.The Hoosiers retain seven starters from last season’s team, including sophomore Meaghan Murphy and junior Amanda Wagner. Murphy had 28 starts last season, while pitching a shutout in her first start in the circle. Wagner recorded six home runs, including a grand slam against Big Ten champion Wisconsin.The Hoosiers also feature a new cast of freshmen, including Olson’s sister Lora Olson, who is taking her sister’s No. 7 jersey.Jena Malmen, a sophomore transfer from Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, joined the Hoosiers, as well. While at Kirkwood, Malmen led the country with 28 home runs.Hoosier fans will just have to wait until early March to witness in person the addition of new players, a core group of returnees and two new assistant coaches helping fourth-year IU Coach Michelle Gardner.