Hoosiers set to take on Big Ten’s best, worst this weekend

The IU softball team will host Michigan and Michigan State this weekend at home before embarking on a monthlong road trip.\nThe 2-7 record the Hoosiers have on the road, coupled with a 1-9 mark in the Big Ten, doesn’t bode well for the future of the IU season. The conference contests have not been very kind to the Hoosiers.\n“We’ve had trouble in our recent home games against the Big Ten,” junior Jennifer Moore said. “We’re hoping to do better in this weekend.”\nSenior Kim Richards said the Hoosiers’ upcoming home stint will be crucial. They have more morale at home, and winning at home will help their performance on the road, she said.\nThough the chances of ending their regular season on a high seems dim because of a grueling schedule to end their campaign, Richards said she thinks IU’s recent win against Evansville will help in this stretch. \n“We were always capable of winning, but the Evansville win added belief,” Richards said. “We like the feeling of winning, and we want to experience it again.”\nThis weekend may see a more energized Hoosiers team that may help to carry over their success against Evansville. Last week IU had to face Minnesota and Wisconsin on the road while traveling by bus, but they will get to sleep in their own beds this weekend. Though the home factor might sometimes seem trivial, it can mean a world of difference on the playing field.\nIU coach Stacey Phillips said these upcoming games are meaningful to the Hoosiers at this point in the season.\n“Having only one win in the Big Ten game, it’ll be important for us to put ourselves in a position to be successful,” Phillips said. “Any game is important to us at this point, and we definitely have an advantage being at home.” \nWinning all four of their weekend games might be a little easier by facing Michigan State (22-21, 0-9) which sits at the bottom of the Big Ten. \nBut the real threat to the Hoosiers’ success is the Michigan Wolverines, who have played well in their season thus far. Though Michigan is only fourth in their conference, they are ranked No. 8 on USASoftball.com. The Wolverines have a 33-8 record on the season and have rated higher than any Big Ten team nationally.\nPhillips said she thinks her team can win if they take the right approach.\n“Our approach is usually the same in every contest,” Phillips said. “The message I have for my players is to play IU softball and do the small things, and the big things will come. I think athletes get caught up in always wanting to make the big play. But if we can focus on the intangibles, the outcome will be a lot better for us.”