Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Tangle With Nittany Lions This Weekend
4/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 11, 2014
| Penn State - April 11-13 - Andy Mohr Field | |
| Date | April 11-13, 2014 |
| Location | Bloomington, Ind. |
| Game One | Penn State at Indiana - 5 p.m. | (GameTracker) |
| Game Two | Penn State at Indiana - 1 p.m. | (GameTracker) |
| Game Three | Penn State at Indiana - 1 p.m | (GameTracker) |
| Promotions (Friday) | Team Friend Challenge |
| Promotions (Saturday) | Military Appreciation Day |
| Promotions (Sunday) | 90's Day |
| TV (Games One/Three Only) | BTN.com (Subscription Required) |
| Radio (Game Two Only) | Free Audio |
| Game Notes | Indiana | Penn State |
| Social Media | Twitter | Facebook |
HOOSIERS HOST B1G SERIES
The Indiana softball team will remain in Bloomington as it continues Big Ten action this weekend when the Hoosiers host Penn State at Andy Mohr Field, April 11-13.
A LOOK AT PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions are currently 10-22 under first year head coach Amanda Lehotak. Penn State is 3-6 in B1G games and comes off of a series sweep of Michigan State last weekend.
The PSU offense is led by Lexi Knief, who hits .392 in 32 games. She also ranks in the top-10 amongst Big Ten batters in batting average (ninth, .392), on base percentage (sixth, .487) and runs (ninth, 30). As a team, the Nittany Lions hit at a .257 clip with 51 extra base hits and 112 RBI.
Marlaina Laubauch has dealt a majority of the time in the circle, tossing 81.0 of the team’s 201.1 innings this season. She also leads the team in wins (7-9) and ERA (3.70). The PSU staff has posted a 5.91 ERA and has posted a .329 opposing batting average.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES
The Hoosiers and Nittany Lions will meet for the 58th time in program history. with Indiana leading the all-time series 32-25. Both squads last met last season for a B1G series at Andy Mohr Field, with IU taking 2-of-3 from PSU in Bloomington.
In the past 10 meeting, the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions have split 5-5. The longest win-streak for either team in the series dates from the 1995-98 seasons where Indiana topped Penn State in 10-straight games.
90’S THROWBACK
The Hoosiers will be heading back to the 90’s this weekend in Sunday’s game with Penn State. From warm up music, to batting songs, to 90’s attire, Andy Mohr Field will set the stage for 90’s Day against the Nittany Lions at 1 p.m. ET.
COMEBACK KIDS
The Indiana softball team put together one of the largest comebacks in program history in its 11-7 walk-off victory over Ohio State on March 28, 2014. The Hoosiers plated 11 unswered runs to overcome a seven-run deficit, the largest comeback recorded in atleast 20 seasons, which was ultimately capped off by a walk-off, grand slam by sophomore Kelsey Dotson.
GRAND OLD TIME
With Kelsey Dotson’s grand slam against Ohio State on March 28, four active players on the IU roster have now connected on homeruns with the bases loaded in their respective careers, three of which hitting grand slams in 2014. The three grand slams this season are also the second-most by a Big Ten squad so far in 2014, trailing only Michigan who has hit six this spring.
ACTIVE PLAYERS WITH A GRAND SLAM
- Kelsey Dotson vs. Ohio State (March 28, 2014)
- Natalie Lalich vs. UT-Arlington (Feb. 28, 2014)
- Kayla Mathewson vs. Portland State (Feb. 7, 2014)
- Jenna Abraham vs. Bradley (Feb. 2, 2013)
MURPHY’S CAREER-BEST
Meaghan Murphy was an integral part of the Hoosiers’ 7-3 win over Michigan State last Wednesday, April 9th. The senior fanned a career-high 13 batters, topping her previous high mark of 10 against Georgia State on February 17, 2013, and retired six of the final eight outs of the game with strikeouts. Murphy’s 13 strikeouts are not only the most by an IU pitcher this season, but they are the most since Morgan Melloh retired 13 at Northwestern on May 7, 2011.
IN GOOD COMPANY
Redshirt senior Breanna Saucedo currently sits at 199 hits in her career, tying Marjerie Ledgerwood’s 199 from 1987-90 for the fifth-most in program history. Should Saucedo reach 200, she will become just one of five IU softball players to earn 200-or-more hits in a career.
AFTER SIX...
The Hoosiers have been able to shut the door in the final innings this season. When the Hoosiers lead after the sixth inning, Indiana has been a perfect 8-0.
TURNING THINGS AROUND
After a slow start to the 2014 campaign, junior Brianna Meyer has turned things around at the plate, hitting .352 (25-for-71) in the last 24 games. During that span, Meyer has earned a hit in all but seven contests and has reached base in 21-of-24 games.
SAUCEDO SHINES
After missing nearly all of the 2013 season due to injury, redshirt senior Breanna Saucedo has quickly made an impact in the Hoosiers’ lineup in her return this spring
- 10-game hit streak from March 14-30, where she hit .471 (16-for-34), surpassing her previous seven consecutive games with a hit (Feb. 8 through Feb. 21)
- Leads team in batting average (.338), runs scored (21), hits (45), triples (2) at bats (133) and plate appearances (139)
- Reached base in all but six games this season
- Registered a hit in 31-of-38 games played
- Hitting .455 against ranked teams to boost her career average against Top 25 programs to .309.
DOUBLE UP
The Hoosiers’ defense turned five double plays against the Boilermakers last weekend. The five double plays doubled Indiana’s season total, as IU had previously turned five in its previous 34 games.
