IU loses final nonconference game

The IU softball team was not able to avenge an earlier loss to Louisville as it was defeated 4-0 Wednesday afternoon in its final nonconference game. Despite the loss, pitcher Sara Olson bounced back after a tough weekend by pitching a complete game. The freshman only gave up one run, allowed five hits and surrendered a single walk while striking out four. \nOlson held the Cardinals scoreless for the first 5 2/3 innings of the game. IU coach Stacey Phillips said she has been pleased by Olson’s \nimprovement.\n“Sara just keeps getting better,” Phillips said. “As a young pitcher, she is willing to do everything to keep making herself better.”\nThe Cardinals (25-18) got on the board in the sixth inning when IU second baseman Julie DiNallo muffed a ball while she covered first base. Olson retired the next batter before hitting a batter, thus putting runners on first and second with one out. After striking out the next batter, the Cardinals were down to their last out as freshman third baseman Chelsea Bemis came to the plate. Bemis doubled to center field, scoring both runners. The Cardinals added one more to push their lead to 3-0. \nThe Hoosiers’ (13-32) best chance to score came in the bottom half of the sixth inning. IU got its first two batters on base with a single and a walk. Junior shortstop Emily Bergeson then fouled out trying to bunt the runners over. After a groundout from Olson, the Hoosiers had runners on second and third with senior catcher Tory Yamaguchi on deck.\nYamaguchi appeared to hit a game-tying, three-run homer that just hooked inside the left-field foul pole. After two discussions, the umpires called it foul to the dismay of Phillips and the IU fans. Yamaguchi eventually walked, loading the bases for senior first baseman Stephanie Pellerito. Pellerito lined a shot down third base that appeared to catch chalk, in turn making the ball fair. But the umpire ruled it foul, and later in the at-bat Pellerito struck out swinging.\n“It was a tough play,” \nPellerito said. “It looked like the ball hit the chalk, but there is nothing you can do about it if they don’t call it your way.”\nThe Cardinals added a home run in the seventh inning to extend their lead to 4-0.\nDespite the tough calls that did not go the Hoosiers’ way, senior third basemen Jennillee Huddleston said the team has to play through those unfortunate situations.\n“Things happen that are out of your control,” she said. “You just have to play your own game and try to fight through it and still try to win the game.”\nThe Hoosiers are back in action at 4 p.m. Friday at the IU Softball Field as they take \non Illinois.