Young squad off to slow start

Even with freshmen comprising one-third of the starting roster, the IU softball team did not have any beginner's luck in the season's first road trip out West, dropping all but one of its games. \nThe Hoosiers had hoped to use the pre-conference Alexis Resort Classic tournament in Las Vegas as a springboard for confidence into Big Ten play where they finished a dismal 7-13 last season. \nIn the first game of the weekend Friday, the Hoosiers struggled on offense but showed strong defense in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Cal State Northridge. In a game which the two teams combined for only five hits, IU pitcher Mariangee Bogadol went six strong innings, allowing only one earned run.\n"We played really well and our pitching was really strong," IU interim coach Stacey Phillips said. "In one run games, it only takes one or two key plays to win. We'll get our breaks eventually."\nThe breaks came in Saturday's game against University of Texas-El Paso, during which the Hoosiers fell behind quickly but soon found their bats. \nAfter falling down 2-0 after two innings, IU rallied to score four runs in the fourth on their way to a three run victory.\nThe two runs scored in the second inning by UTEP were the only runs IU pitcher Megan Roark would allow for the rest of her seven inning complete game outing. She also struck out five in the 5-2 win, her first of the season.\nIU hoped it could keep up its offensive momentum in the third game of the weekend against the hometown UNLV Runnin' Rebels, but it turned out to be another defensive battle and the Hoosiers were downed 1-0.\nThe team struggled to find its groove in the batter's box once again and managed only three hits.\nBogado and Roark split the pitching duties, Bogado going for two innings and Roark going for four. Each pitcher gave up two hits and Bogado had the lone earned run.\n"The younger players played great despite the loss," Roark said. "We have to feel very comfortable; eventually someone will step up in these close games."\nSaturday's second match-up featured more heartbreak for the Hoosiers in a 2-1 loss to Utah State, the third game of the weekend decided by one run.\nRoark was impressive once again against the Aggies, going six strong innings, allowing no hits or earned runs and striking out five.\nFreshman Jennilee Huddleston scored the Hoosiers only run in the second inning on an RBI single by sophomore third baseman Rachel Terry, while Utah State posted both of their runs in the sixth inning, when Roark was relieved by senior Katie Witham.\nIU found no solace in their last game of the road trip Sunday when they were hammered 10-2 by Marshall University.\nThe Hoosiers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning but three run at-bats in both the third and fourth innings would seal the victory for the Thundering Herd.\n"This weekend was a good test to see where we are at," junior designated hitter Lauren Hines said. "We have all the people and the tools. We just need to put everything together." \nIU will look to get back on track in pre-conference play as they travel to Baton Rouge, La. to play in the Louisiana State University Tournament the weekend of February 18-19.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Kevin Dwire at kdwire@indiana.edu.