IU hosts Purple Aces in final non-conference game

The IU softball team kicks off Big Ten conference play this week, but before it takes on top-team No. 6 Michigan (25-3) at 3 p.m. Friday at the IU Softball Field, the Hoosiers will host their last non-conference opponent, Evansville (14-7) at 4 p.m. today.\nThe Purple Aces come to Bloomington having won six of their last seven games, and like the Hoosiers, Evansville defeated Drake last week in a 1-0 shutout. In that game, today’s probable starter, left-hander Jacki Bradley, pitched a complete game. Bradley allowed one hit, struck out four and walked four.\nAlthough conference play is approaching, junior utility player Julie DiNallo said she is eager to start conference play.\n“My mind frame does not change,” she said. “You know you are getting better competition. If anything, I would say it is exciting and more fun.” \nCurrently the Hoosiers sit at a dismal 6-19 record. Senior center fielder Julia Hamilton sees conference play as a new beginning. \n“Conference play is a whole new genre,” she said. “We can use this as a fresh start and to redeem ourselves.”\nAs for if practice will have a different tone or if it will be approached differently due to the start of conference play, IU coach Stacey Phillips said she will stay consistent in \nher approach.\n“We practice very well,” she said. “It is just trying to translate that into the game. We will continue to stay positive. Our players just have to step up.”\nOne thing Phillips has struggled with is finding consistent play from the left field position to go along with regular starters sophomore right fielder Jennifer Glueckert and Hamilton. Earning the majority of the starts in left field this season have been freshman Brittany Devitt and sophomore Kristin King. After starting the year injured, sophomore Kelli Ritchison has started to play in the outfield, as well.\n“From the beginning of the season I thought Kelli was the best for the position,” Phillips said. “Unfortunately, she had a setback injuring her index finger on her throwing hand.”\nLast season, the Hoosiers finished 1-19 in conference play, finishing last in the Big Ten. Although there is the potential to improve on their conference record from last year, DiNallo is not using it as a measuring stick this year.\n“No specific goals as in record-wise,” she said. “We just want to strive to get better and try and finish in the top half of the Big Ten.”\nHamilton also stayed away from setting a specific win total in conference play.\n“This is a competitive conference,” she said. “We must maintain our competitive edge and not focus so much on stats.”\nThe Big Ten Conference currently has three teams in the top 25: No. 6 Michigan, No. 12 Northwestern and No. 22 Ohio State.