Indiana Sweeps Second Straight B1G Series, Defeats Michigan State

Saturday, March 31

East Lansing, Mich.

4:00 PM ET

Indiana University

13-21, 0

Michigan State

13-18, 0

Indiana

Michigan State

Indiana Sweeps Second Straight B1G Series, Defeats Michigan State

3/31/2018 7:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Indiana Softball clinched the sweep of its second straight Big Ten series on Saturday, defeating Michigan State, 5-1. The win moves the Hoosiers to 6-0 in conference action, the best start to Big Ten play for the program since 1994. In addition, Indiana has won seven straight games, the longest win streak since 2011.

The victory marked the 600^th career victory for head coach Shonda Stanton, who won 560 games at Marshall and 27 at IUPUI.

"This group has really bought in," said Stanton. "They're learning a new system, a new process and I'm really proud of how we're fighting every pitch and competing. Really excited about the things we're doing."

Indiana was led by a 3-for-4 outing from sophomore Gabbi Jenkins, who also scored a pair of runs. Junior Sarah Galovich brought in a pair of runs as she knocked a two-run homer in the win.

Junior Tara Trainer earned her second complete game victory of the weekend, allowing just five hits.

IU threatened early as Jenkins led off the game with a single to left and sophomore Katie Lacefield drew a two-out walk, but both were stranded on a strikeout.

After a 1-2-3 first-inning, Michigan State loaded the bases with two outs in the second on a walk, Hoosier error and single. However, senior shortstop Rachel O'Malley made a great pick-up to turn a grounder to first for the final out.

Indiana got on the board in the third, sparked by a triple by Jenkins to the gap in center. It marked her fifth of the season and second in the series. Senior Rebecca Blitz brought her home as she sent a one-out single through the left side.

The Spartans tied the game up in the bottom of the third as McKenzie Long doubled to left center, plating Lea Foerster.

However, IU would answer right back in the following frame as Galovich knocked her two-run shot to right field to give Indiana a 3-1 lead. Galovich's second home run of the season plated O'Malley, who reached on a two-out single down the left field line.

The Hoosiers added a run in the fifth on an RBI double from Lacefield to bring in Jenkins, who reached on her third hit of the day on a leadoff single.

Michigan State put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fifth as Kaitlyn Eveland doubled to left, but she was stranded.

Indiana took advantage of a Spartan error in the final frame to add an insurance run as Blitz reached on an errant throw and made it all the way to third. Freshman Maddie Westmoreland then brought her in on a single to short.

"Really impressed with our ballclub this weekend to come out and get the sweep on the road," said Stanton. "It's tough to beat anybody three times. Tara gave us a great start, defensively we were sharp and made solid plays behind her. Had clutch outs when we needed them, had big pitches when we needed them and I was really impressed with our two-out scoring."

The Hoosiers will return to action next weekend as they play host to Nebraska. First pitch of the series is set for Friday at 6 p.m. Every home game is free admission.