Melloh looks to stifle Ball State at home

The IU softball team will welcome in-state opponent Ball State to Bloomington today before taking on conference rivals Michigan State and Illinois for four games during the next week. The Hoosiers have won seven straight games and will look to continue their hot play in Bloomington, where they have a 12-1 home record.

The Cardinals will get a healthy dose of senior pitcher Morgan Melloh in the circle. Melloh, the three-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, has compiled a record of 22-14 with a 1.90 ERA and leads the nation in strikeouts with 303.

Tuesday, she was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week.

The Hoosiers will try to continue their hot hitting with the one-two punch of sophomore Breanna Saucedo and senior Sara Olson. The shortstop and first baseman have combined for 18 extra base hits, 37 RBI and a combined batting average of .354.

Ball State comes into the contest touting a 27-16 overall record and a 7-3 conference record in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals will look to batter Melloh early and often as they have a team batting average of .323 and post six starting batters with at least a .313 average.

— Dennis Glade