Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Set for UIC Doubleheader
3/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
UIC Doubleheader Notes in PDF Format
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March 27, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana softball team travels to Chicago, Ill., to take on the Illinois-Chicago Flames in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 29, at Flames Field. The two teams are meeting for the ninth time in the series' history. Indiana is coming off a 2-1 performance at the 2006 IU Classic, while UIC is coming off a pair of losses to the University of South Florida. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
IU CLASSIC REVIEW
Indiana went 2-1 at the 2006 IU Classic, posting wins over Western Kentucky, 2-1, and Wright State, 11-1. The Hoosiers remained solid in their win against the Hilltoppers, never trailing in the 2-1 victory. Against the Raiders, IU dominated at the plate, tallying two home runs, two doubles, three stolen bases, 12 hits and seven strikeouts in the performance. The Hoosiers' sole loss came at the hands of a resilient Western Kentucky team in the team's second meeting of the classic. IU held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth before the Hilltoppers came to life and posted a three-run fourth inning. WKU then scored the eventual winning run in their half of the fifth to register a 4-3 come-from-behind win.
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO PREVIEW
The Illinois-Chicago Flames come into the doubleheader with a 9-19 record on the season and are coming off a pair of losses to South Florida. The Flames will be playing at home for the first time this season when they host the Hoosiers.
Senior shortstop Joyce Cathey leads the Flames with a .338 batting average, followed by senior infielder/outfielder Nicole Shepard with a .302 clip. In the circle, freshman Kelly Cross shoulders the pitching duties with a 2.41 ERA in 64 innings.
Head coach Tom Gray is in his 11th year at the helm of the UIC program and has accumulated a 154-128 record.
Indiana leads the series between the two programs, 5-3, splitting their meetings in 2005. In the teams' first meeting, IU defeated UIC 5-2 before falling in the second game 14-3.
WHAT'S COMING UP
The Hoosiers open Big Ten action with a pair of conference matchups March 31-April 2. IU first hosts Ohio State on Friday, March 31, at 3 p.m., followed by the second game of the series on Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. IU then welcomes Penn State for a doubleheader on Sunday, with first pitch at Noon.
DON'T STOP NOW
Through 25 games, a total of eight Hoosiers have posted hitting streaks of three games or better this season. Of those Hoosiers, six IU ballplayers are currently on a two-or-more game hitting streak heading into the doubleheader against UIC. Leading the pack are senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado and freshman second baseman Sarah Padove, who are currently on a five-game streak. Others Hoosiers on a hitting streak include senior right fielder Lauren Hines (four), junior center fielder Kim Richards (three) and freshman shortstop Stephanie Pellerito (two).
