With no one on base for Michigan State in the seventh inning Sunday, IU Coach Michelle Gardner went to the mound and took out her starting pitcher. As senior Lora Olson walked back to the dugout, she waved as her teammates and the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
“When coach pulled me out, I had the biggest smile on my face,” Olson said. “As a pitcher, you have to be focused all the time, but at that moment, I knew I can just take it all in and enjoy it.”
Olson received the win Sunday, throwing 6.1 innings and surrendering only three earned runs on 11 hits and no walks on IU softball’s senior day.
IU hosted the Spartans this weekend, playing its last home series at Andy Mohr Field this season, taking two of three games.
“I love where my team is at right now and I’m honestly thrilled,” Gardner said.
There was no problem scoring runs in the first game as the Hoosiers took game one of a Friday doubleheader, 16-9.
Sophomore Erin Lehman had a big game, reaching base on four of her five plate appearances, while scoring two runs and driving in a run of her own.
Senior Miranda Tamayo picked up the win for IU, coming in as a reliever and throwing three shutout innings — giving up only three hits.
IU would come back later that evening and drop the second game 9-8 despite junior Michelle Huber’s grand slam.
Left fielder Shannon Cawley had an impressive day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.
Michigan State rallied from three runs down in the fifth inning to split Friday’s doubleheader and set up a game three rubber match on Sunday.
Game three started with three seniors being honored in front of their fans, friends and family before the game.
Brianna Meyer, Lora Olson and Miranda Tamayo were among the three seniors recognized for their four years spent playing at IU.
The Hoosiers won game three 10-4. Gardner referred to this as an amazing day.
“They really put together a whole package,” Gardner said, talking about her senior players.
Tamayo would come in and finish off the game after Olson was taken out. She retired the next two batters and secured the Hoosier victory over the Spartans.
“I really wanted to go out, have fun, and finish my last game at home on a good note,” Tamayo said.
Meyer finished her last game at Andy Mohr Field going 2-for-3, including the eventual game-winning RBI with a single to right field in the fifth inning.
After the game, the players stood on the field where they were showered with gifts and took pictures with their friends, family and loved ones as they said goodbye to Andy Mohr Field.
But the season doesn’t end here. With the win Sunday, the Hoosiers have clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. This makes the last games, a single game against Indiana State on Tuesday and a three-game series against Ohio State this weekend, important in terms of seeding in the tournament.
“I’m so proud of this team but I’m not thinking about this as a last game,” Meyer said. “We need to stay focused and continue to move forward.”
