Strong pitching dominates weekend

The IU softball team displayed impressive pitching throughout the weekend, allowing only nine earned runs and striking out 23 batters in 27 innings of action. Overall Hoosier opponents could only muster a .200 batting average, proving that IU has real firepower on the pitcher's mound. \nIU coach Sara Hayes was pleased with the team's showing both on and off the mound for the weekend.\n"We came ready to play today," Hayes said. "Both pitchers did a great job on the mound. During the entire weekend we were very pleased with the way that our players implemented the things that we put in practice this week -- defensively, on the mound, and in the defense of Indiana softball." \nThe University of Central Florida Golden Knights struck first in Sunday's final game with a two-run shot by senior pitcher Dottie Cupp in the bottom of the second. Cupp pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and three strike outs. UCF then added another run the next inning with a solo home run by sophomore outfielder Jania Shinhoster to place the Golden Knights on top 3-0. IU waited until the fourth inning to answer back to UCF's long balls. Senior catcher Stormy Hanson led off with a single and proceeded to steal second base. Hanson was driven in with a single by freshman infielder Lauren Hines to create IU's only run. The Golden Knights landed its final blow in the bottom of the fourth to place the final score at 4-1. \nSunday's opener against Cansius proved to be more lucrative for the Hoosiers, with IU amassing five runs off of five hits to coast to a 5-2 victory. IU started scoring in a poor defensive showing in the second inning that began with senior Heather Suca being hit by a pitch and reaching second with a sacrifice bunt. IU senior outfielder Katie Joy struck out, but managed to reach first because of a wild pitch. Joy then reached second after a throwing error by Cansius sophomore catcher Rebecca Murphy, and Suca managed to reach home plate to place the score at 1-0 IU. The Golden Griffins answered with two runs in the top of the third to give Cansius a 2-1 lead. IU waited until the sixth inning to unleash a four-run tear full of singles and stolen bases. Freshman outfielder Abby Page was walked to begin the inning and proceeded to steal second base. Page was then driven in with a single by junior Valerie White who added a stolen base of her own. Hanson drove White in with a single and stole second base. Hanson reached third on a passed ball and reached home with yet another single by Hines.\nDespite the split, the team was content with its defensive showing.\n"Our defense was really good today," White said. "People made some really good plays, but we need to string it together in the future."\nSaturday's matchup against Stony Brook was an extra-inning defensive battle that IU eventually stole 2-1. Junior pitcher Heather Stillians displayed her throwing skill by pitching the complete game and allowing only four hits and one home run. IU more than doubled Stony Brook's hit total with nine but left 10 runners on base. The Seawolves' lone run came in the sixth inning with a solo shot by sophomore infielder Colleen McCarthy. IU's scoring came in the fifth inning when Hines drove in Suca. IU waited until the bottom of the eighth to close out the game with an RBI by Stark.\nThe Hoosiers opened the weekend at the wrong end of a 3-0 shutout against Furman Friday night. Furman began its scoring in the third inning with two hits including one double. The Paladins then added to their lead with a run in the fifth. \n"It was really a tale of two pitchers, and we didn't necessarily adjust well to either," Hayes said after Friday's games. "They were very different as the pitcher from Furman threw hard and had a nice drop and curve, while Stony Brook's pitcher kept us off balance with off-speed pitches. Our pitchers gave us the opportunity to hang in there both games."\nOverall, the team is happy with this weekend's showing on the field.\n"We did really well this weekend, we made a lot of improvements, we're working on little things and improving steadily," Witham said.\nThe Hoosier softball team is set to begin its home season with a double-header against Illinois State Tuesday.