Indiana University Athletics
Hoosier Softball Opens Big Ten Season at Home
3/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Ohio State/Penn State Game Notes in PDF Format
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March 30, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana softball team opens its Big Ten slate on March 31 as it hosts Ohio State for a 3 p.m. matchup at the IU Softball Field. Indiana continues its schedule with the second game of the series on April 1st at 1 p.m., followed by a doubleheader against Penn State on April 2, with first pitch set for Noon. The Hoosiers bring a 15-11-1 record into the Big Ten season, while Ohio State stands at 16-12 overall and Penn State currently is the leading the Big Ten with a 20-4 mark.
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO REVIEW
With an outstanding performance at the plate, the Indiana softball team swept its doubleheader against Illinois-Chicago by scores of 6-2 and 9-2, respectively, at Flames Field on March 29. In the effort, IU registered two home runs, one triple, four doubles and 21 hits overall, while UIC notched only 10 hits on the day.
Freshman second baseman Sarah Padove went 3-for-4 from the plate in the first game, leading a Hoosier offense that recorded nine hits in the performance.
Senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado (8-4) also fanned six in the outing and notched her second triple of the season, while Olson notched two RBI.
In the nightcap, the Hoosiers showed they had just been warming up as they registered 12 hits in the 9-2 rout of the Flames. Junior center fielder Kim Richards and sophomore third baseman Jennilee Huddleston made the plays of the game, as Richards notched her first collegiate grand slam, while Huddleston finished a triple short of a cycle.
OHIO STATE PREVIEW
Ohio State comes into the matchup with a 16-12 record on the season and some quality wins over nationally-ranked opponents, including victories over then-No. 22 Oregon, 6-0, and then-No. 6 Alabama, 3-1.
Junior outfielder Megan Schwab leads the Buckeyes with a .365 batting average, followed by sophomore outfielder Liz Caputo with a .364 clip. In the circle, freshman hurler Kim Reeder paces OSU with a 1.99 ERA.
Head coach Linda Kalafatis is in her 10th year at the helm of the program, leading the Buckeyes to a 311-221 record while in command.
Indiana leads the series between the two programs 51-22-1, with Ohio State winning the past two meetings in 2004 (4-0) and 2005 (3-2).
PENN STATE PREVIEW
Penn State is off to a strong start in 2006, boasting a Big Ten-best 20-4 record. The Nittany Lions have topped one ranked opponent on the season and three of their losses came to top-25 teams.
Junior outfielder Meghan Wolfer leads the Nittany Lions offense with a .345 batting average, while senior third baseman Destinie Chavez averages a .317 clip.
Head coach Robin Petrini is in her eighth season with the Nittany Lions and has led Penn State to a 297-238-1 overall record.
Indiana leads the series 26-12 over Penn State, with the last meeting going to PSU in a 4-2 Hoosier loss.
WHAT'S COMING UP
The Hoosiers welcome Evansville for a weekday game on Tuesday, April 4, at 3 p.m., before traveling to Michigan on April 7-8, followed by a doubleheader against Michigan State on April 9. Indiana's games against Michigan take place at 3 p.m., and noon, respectively, in Ann Arbor, while first pitch against Michigan State is set for noon on Sunday in East Lansing.
JUST SHORT OF A CYCLE
Sophomore Jennilee Huddleston came up a triple short of a cycle in the Hoosiers' 9-2 victory over Illinois-Chicago on March 28. Huddleston opened the contest with a fly out to right field in her first at bat, and then followed it with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. The sophomore then shot a single up the middle in the top of the fifth inning to keep things rolling. The Peachtree, Ga., native grabbed a double down the left line in the top of the sixth to move just a triple away from a cycle. Huddleston, unfortunately, never got another chance at achieving the rare feat as she finished with a 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI in the win.
DON'T STOP NOW
Through 27 games, a total of 10 Hoosiers have posted hitting streaks of three-or-better this season. Of those Hoosiers, six IU ballplayers are currently on hitting streaks heading into IU's games against Ohio State. Leading the pack is senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado, who is currently on a seven-game streak. Other Hoosiers on a hitting streak include senior right fielder Lauren Hines (six), junior center fielder Kim Richards (five), sophomore designated player Anna Olson (four), sophomore catcher Janetta Deaven (three) and sophomore third baseman Jennilee Huddleston (two).
