IU learns its lesson, splits Buckeye series

IU coach Stacey Phillips and her softball team learned from their mistake in Friday’s 3-2 loss to Ohio State. In Friday’s game, Buckeye standout Sam Marder hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning to put the Buckeyes ahead for good. But in Saturday’s one-hit shutout win over Ohio State, Phillips and the Hoosiers (12-27, 2-8) instead walked Marder three times.\n“She beat us yesterday,” said junior pitcher Monica Wright. “We were going to make sure that did not happen again.”\nSenior center fielder Julia Hamilton got the scoring started in the first inning of game two, reaching base on a single through the left side of the infield. Hamilton then scored on a suicide squeeze from junior shortstop Emily Bergeson. \n“We have used this play a lot. I am kind of surprised they were playing so far back,” Phillips said. “Anytime Hamilton gets on base, we like to try to manufacture her because of her speed. Scoring first helped us get in control of the game. It was a huge play.”\nThe Hoosiers extended their lead to 2-0 in the third inning. Senior third baseman Jennilee Huddleston singled to left field to score senior first baseman Tory Yamaguchi. In game one, Yamaguchi homered for the 38th time in her career, putting her in a first place tie for the most in IU history.\nFreshman designated player Sara Olson came up in the fifth inning of game two with runners on second and third. In the middle of her at bat Olson had to step out because of an apparent leg injury. After Phillips went to check on Olson, the freshman dug back in to the box and singled up the middle, scoring Bergeson and Yamaguchi. \n“Coach threw a little dirt on my leg and talked with me, which relaxed me,” Olson said. “Getting that hit, it was very exciting.”\nPhillips credited Olson’s two-run single to the changes Olson made during her previous at bats during the game.\n“She’s a tough kid,” Phillips said. “She had been making adjustments from her first and second at bats.”\nWright (9-11) picked up the win for Hoosiers. She pitched her 12th complete game of the season and had her second shutout of the year as she gave up one hit and no runs while striking out five.\nA key point late in the game came while the Buckeyes were at bat in the sixth inning. Ohio State had runners on second and third with Buckeye first baseman Tory Haddad at bat. Wright and Haddad battled for 12 pitches before Wright got her to swing and miss at a pitch on the outside corner at the knees for strike three and the third out.\n“We had the momentum at that point and did not want that to shift,” said Phillips. \nThe Hoosiers are back in action 4 p.m. Tuesday as they take on in-state opponent Ball State at the IU Softball Field.