California girls: IU softball opens season this weekend in San Diego

Fourth-year IU head coach, Stacey Phillips, and the Hoosiers open up play today in the Campbell-Carter Tournament hosted by San Diego State University. IU’s first game of the season is Friday against Fresno State.\nOf the five teams the Hoosiers will be playing in the tournament, two – Fresno State and UC Santa Barbara – made the NCAA tournament last season. The Hoosiers come into this season looking to get back on track after finishing last in the conference a year ago with a record of 21-34 and only one conference win. The Hoosiers are just two years removed from making the NCAA tournament.\nThis year’s Hoosier squad is returning 16 players and is led by three seniors. Catcher Tory Yamaguchiis coming off a career season in 2007 during which she hit .295, with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs. She comes into this season only five home runs shy of the school record. \n“Tory gives us a lot of experience behind the plate and she controls situations defensively, very well,” Phillips said in a statement. “She is also going to lead the way for us at the plate. With her leadership, we are going to be scoring a lot of runs this year.”\nThird baseman Jennilee Huddleston comes into this season having started every game during the last two years. \n“Jennilee is very sure-handed at third base and is quick to the ball on bunts,” Phillips said in a statement. “With her at third base, it will present a challenge to teams that try to play small ball against us.” \nLast season, Huddleston hit a team-high .335 and also led the team in runs, hits, doubles, total bases and on-base percentage. \nThe last of the senior trio is lead-off hitter and centerfielder Julia Hamilton. Last season, she led the team in stolen bases, going 17-of-19 while only committing two errors in the outfield. \n“Julia is one of the fastest players in the Big Ten,” Phillips said in a statement, “and she tracks balls in the outfield almost better than anyone that I’ve ever seen.”\nFirst up for the Hoosiers are the Bulldogs (2-0), who the Western Athletic Conference coaches picked to finish second in the conference. The Bulldogs also have three players on their team who were picked for the preseason all-conference team. \nLater in the afternoon, the Hoosiers take on the host team, the Aztecs (4-1). San Diego State’s only loss came against No. 22/21 Mississippi State. The Aztecs come into the season after losing only two players from last year’s squad. All-American junior Erin Floros leads the team. \nOn Saturday, the Hoosiers take on UC Santa Barbara (1-4). Two of Santa Barbara’s four losses came from top 15 teams UCLA and Oklahoma. Immediately after the game and with little rest, the Hoosiers take on Utah State (0-5). Two of the Aggies’ losses also came against ranked teams Tennessee and Texas A&M. \nOn Sunday, the Hoosiers wrap up play against Tulsa (2-2). In their two wins, pitcher Jackie Lawrence shut down opponents and gave up only two earned runs total.