Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Ohio State
Hoosiers Cruise in Big Ten Opener; Down Buckeyes 4-1
3/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 31, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana softball team cruised to its first Big Ten win of the season with a 4-1 defeat of Ohio State on March 31, at the IU Softball Field. The win marked the first time the Hoosiers have defeated the Buckeyes since 2004, and the first victory in a Big Ten opener since 1997.
With the performance, Indiana improved to 16-11-1 on the season, while Ohio State fell to 16-13 on the year.
It took the Hoosier three innings to get warmed up in the affair, but once all pistons were firing, IU never looked back.
In the third inning, Indiana came out swinging as IU's first three batters connected for hits to score two runs and put the Hoosiers on the board, 2-0. Sophomore third baseman Jennilee Huddleston led off and reached on a single to the catcher, while junior first baseman Rachel Terry advanced the runner and reached on a single up the middle. Sophomore designated player Anna Olson then drew a full count before she snuck in an RBI single to right field that scored Huddleston. When OSU's right fielder reached the Olson single, she looked to throw-out Terry at third. Terry reached base safely, but a mishandle by the third baseman sent her home. The Buckeyes recovered and registered back-to-back putouts to end the frame.
Ohio State countered IU's runs in the fourth by scoring their sole run of the afternoon in top of the fifth.
Indiana, now holding a 2-1 lead, notched insurance runs in their half of the fifth inning courtesy of a single by senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado and a home run by senior right fielder Lauren Hines. Bogado reached base on a dropper to left field, while Hines reached full count before sending her two-run homer over the left field fence. The seniors combined to deliver the final dagger to the Buckeyes who failed to score the remainder of the game.
The Hoosiers return to action for game two of the series against the Buckeyes on Saturday, April 1, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
