Down to one pitch

The Hoosier softball team came within one pitch of winning its first Big Ten match-up since April 28, 2001. Unfortunately, that pitch was sent over the left field wall for a two-run homer that sent the game into extra innings and eventually led to a 4-3 IU loss. \nPrior to the pitch heard around the conference, the Hoosier softball team played through a tough four-game home stint against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday and Saturday along with a double-header against Wisconsin on Sunday. \nSunday's second game was a largely defensive battle, leaving both teams scoreless until the sixth inning. The Hoosiers struck first when junior Valerie White led off with a double and moved to third with a single by senior Heather Suca, placing runners at the corners. White eventually scored on a wild pitch. Then junior Abby Stark stepped up to the plate and belted a two-run shot over the right field fence to place the score at 3-0 IU.\nWisconsin struck back in the bottom of the sixth with a run of its own and the inning that will likely be burned into the minds of the Hoosiers began. In the bottom of the seventh, the deuces were wild with Badger sophomore Boo Gillette at the plate and a runner on first. Facing two outs, a two run deficit, and a 2-2 count, Gillette sent the pitch well over the left field wall and sent the game into extra innings.\nTwo innings later, Gillette would haunt IU again. With two runners in scoring position and only one out, freshman pitcher Megan Roark sought to intentionally walk Gillette, and on the second pitch, Roark overthrew senior catcher Stormy Hanson. Despite the inactivity of Wisconsin's runner on third, Hanson anticipated a play at home, and misfired, allowing the Badger runner to strike the final blow and keeping the Hoosiers winless in conference play for the last two seasons.\nEven though the team came up short in the end, both players and coaches were happy with the effort they put forth.\n"It was amazing, I'm so proud of the team," Stark said. "Obviously, I'm disappointed with the outcome, but I'm so happy because the team is playing more together and everyone's out and really trying to win."\nSunday's first game was a different story with Wisconsin scoring in each of the first three innings, including a back-breaking four-run jaunt in the top of the third. IU's lone run came in the bottom of the first when Hanson blasted her eighth home run of the year over the center field fence.\nIU threatened to make it a game in the bottom of the sixth when Suca led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on another single by Hanson. Freshman Lauren Hines managed to load the bases with a soft grounder that was bobbled by Wisconsin's shortstop. Facing two outs and a field full of Hoosiers, IU couldn't convert on the opportunity and fell 6-1.\nFriday and Saturday's games against the Gophers saw the sheer dominance of a single Minnesota pitcher, junior Piper Marten. Pitching a complete game on Friday and acting as reliever on Saturday, Marten compiled 26 strike outs, and allowed only one hit in 12 and a half innings of action. Granted, the one hit was a home run by IU slugger Hanson, but Marten displayed an unbelievable amount of pitching control.\nDespite Marten's dominance, coach Sara Hayes was pleased with the Hoosier effort against the Gophers. \n"We outplayed them in both games, but one player (Marten) beat us," Hayes said. "Our effort in both games is exactly what we are looking for. We just have to make more plays."\nIU struck first in Saturday's game with a run in the top of the second and would carry the lead until the bottom of the fourth when the Gophers tied the game at a run apiece. Minnesota sealed the victory with a run in the bottom of the seventh, winning the hard-fought contest 2-1.\nFriday brought another defensive match-up to the Hoosier softball field with the wind running high and ominous clouds threatening the game. Minnesota's Marten struck out 16 batters in the contest, and it wasn't until the bottom of the seventh when Hanson broke the no-hitter with a home run. Minnesota could only score three runs in two innings, but it was enough to take the game from IU.\nResponding to the loss, Hanson was happy with the game IU displayed.\n"Overall, we came out ready to play and our defense was good, our pitching was good, but we just didn't hit much," Hanson said. \nDespite losing four tough games in a row, the Hoosier softball team is coming into the rest of the season with a new-found confidence. Hayes is not completely convinced the team will respond to this weekend in a positive manner, but she is confident the team will have credence in its abilities.\n"Hopefully the team will come away with a new belief in themselves and in the team and knowing they're doing great things, and the pride in the program and how far they've come"