Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Open Home Play at Andy Mohr Field on Thursday
3/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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| Hoosier Classic - Bloomington, Ind. | |
| Dates | March 12-15, 2015 |
| Location | Andy Mohr Field • Bloomington, Ind. |
| Game 1 (Thursday) | Bowling Green at Indiana • 3 p.m. ET | GameTracker |
| Game 2 (Friday) | North Dakota State at Indiana • 4 p.m. ET | GameTracker |
| Game 3 (Saturday) | Wright State at Indiana • 12:15 p.m. ET | GameTracker |
| Game 4 (Saturday) | Bowling Green at Indiana • 2:30 p.m. ET | GameTracker |
| Game 5 (Sunday) | IPFW at Indiana • 4:45 p.m. ET | GameTracker |
| Radio | Listen Live |
| Game Notes | Indiana Game Notes |
| Social Media | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram |
| Tournament Central | Hoosier Classic |
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Hoosiers open up play at Andy Mohr Field this afternoon in the first game of the Hoosier Classic. The tournament, which was originally supposed to begin on Friday, will feature Bowling Green, North Dakota State, Wright State, IPFW and the Hoosiers.
Indiana (5-18) will face Bowling Green (5-9) at 3 p.m. with gates to Andy Mohr Field opening at 1 p.m.
Stay tuned to IUHoosiers.com and @IUSoftball for all the latest news and info from Andy Mohr Field.
LAST TIME OUT
After weather forced the cancellation of the Indiana Classic last weekend, Indiana traveled to Kennesaw State to play in the Owl Invitational.
The Hoosiers opened the weekend with a victory, overcoming a 5-0 second-inning deficit to defeat Austin Peay, 10-7. In Indiana's second game on Friday, the Hoosiers lost a tough pitcher's duel to St. Louis, 2-1. The Saturday opener provided plenty of excitment as Indiana and Eastern Illinois traded the lead five times before junior Kelsey Dotson smacked a two-run walk-off homer. The final game of the Owl Invitational saw the Hoosiers drop a 9-4 decision to tournament host Kennesaw State.
HOME SWEET HOME
After playing the first 23 games on the road, the Hoosiers are set to open home play at Andy Mohr Field this weekend with a five-game set in the Hoosier Classic.
This season marks fifth straight year that Indiana has hosted the Hoosier Classic. Since the inaugural event in 2011, Indiana is 14-1 in the tournament.
FANTASTIC FRESHMEN
The Indiana freshmen continue to make a huge impact on the team, a trend which saw Rachel O'Malley step up big at the Owl Invitational. The Elk Grove Village native hit .500 while racking up five hits, five RBI and one run scored during the weekend.
Rebecca Blitz, who picked up four hits last weekend in Kennesaw, currently leads the team with 27 hits, which is tied for eighth in the Big Ten. Blitz is the lone Hoosier to start in all 23 games this season.
LEHMAN LIGHTING `EM UP
Sophomore Erin Lehman is coming off another spectacular weekend, batting .467 with seven hits, four runs and three RBI in Kennesaw. Since Indiana's Feb. 27 game against Georgia in Orlando, Lehman is hitting .571 with 12 hits - including two doubles and a triple - six runs and four RBI. As a result of her stellar couple of weeks of play, Lehman is second on the team with a .375 average.
#HOMERINGHOOSIERS
The Hoosiers racked up five homers over the weekend, including two games with multiple home runs. Freshman Mena Fulton hit her first career homer in the win against Austin Peay, a game in which Kassi Farmer also went long. Before Dotson's game winner against Eastern Illinois on Sunday, Brianna Meyer also hit a two-run shot against the Panthers. Freshman Taylor Uden ended the weekend with a solo shot against Kennesaw State.
The Hoosiers are tied for third in the Big Ten with 22 homers on the year, half of which come from senior Shannon Cawley (6) and Dotson (5). Eight different Hoosiers have gone yard so far this season.
FACING THE FALCONS
The Hoosiers will face Bowling Green twice this weekend, starting with a Thursday afternoon showdown. Bowling Green is off to a 5-9 start and began the year 4-1, but have dropped seven of their last eight games.
Thursday's contest marks the seventh time these two teams have faced off, with Indiana winning all six previous contests. The last time these two teams met was a two-game set in 2004, which Indiana won 1-0 and 5-1, respectively.
BATTLING THE BISON
North Dakota State is off to an impressive 14-5 start, having won seven of the last nine games. Among the noteable wins was a 3-0 victory against Purdue at the University of Tennessee Invitational on March 7. In the game, Bison pitcher Krista Menke tossed her third career no-hitter.
This is the first time in program history the two teams have done battle.
SCOUTING WRIGHT STATE
Indiana's second opponent on Saturday is Wright State, a team that has began its year 1-14. The Raiders picked up their first win of the season last weekend with a 6-2 decision against Iona.
This is the 11th time the Hoosiers and Raiders have faced off, with Indiana holding an 8-2 series lead. In last season's Hoosier Classic, Indiana walked away with a 6-1 victory against Wright State.
MATCHING UP WITH THE MASTODONS
Indiana's final game of the weekend comes against in-state rival IPFW, who is currently winless at 0-15.
The Hoosiers lead the all-time series against the Mastodons, 3-0. Sunday's meeting marks the first time since 2006 that the two teams have played.
TUNE IN AND LISTEN UP
Every 2015 Indiana softball game will be broadcasted LIVE on IUHoosiers.com. In addition, fans can also follow along with GameTracker, just click on the appropriate link in the schedule.
QUEST FOR 1,000
The Hoosiers are just four wins away from reaching 1,000 program wins. Since the program began in 1974, Indiana has an all-time record of 996-985-8.
WHAT ELSE IS ON TAP FOR 2015?
After wrapping up play in the Hoosier Classic, Indiana will travel to Lexington for a mid-week battle against Kentucky. The March 18 game will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network.
Other non-conference matchups for the Hoosiers include Louisville (March 25), Ball State (April 21) and Indiana State (April 28).
Indiana opens up Big Ten play at home on March 20 against Rutgers. Other home Big Ten battles include Maryland, Purdue and Michigan State. The Hoosiers will face Illinois, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State on the road.
The 2015 Big Ten Tournament will take place May 7-10 in Columbus, Ohio.
Media Contact: Caitlin Davis, davis288@indiana.edu
