Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
University of Illinois - Chicago
IU Hosts Hoosier Classic This Weekend
3/17/2016 2:48:00 PM | Softball
The tournament marks the final weekend full of non-conference meetings before Big Ten play begins on March 25 against Iowa.
THE LINEUPFriday, March 18
6:15 p.m. UIC at Indiana - Watch | Stats
Saturday, March 19
2:30 p.m. Western Illinois at Indiana - Watch | Stats
Sunday, March 20
4:45 p.m. Wright State at Indiana -Watch | Stats
CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION
Indiana's first opponent of the weekend is UIC, who sits at 11-8 and is currently riding a five-game win streak. The Flames are led by head coach Michelle Venturella, one of the most decorated alumns in Indiana Softball history. Venturella played for the Hoosiers from 1992-95 and is a two-time All-American. three-time NFCA All-Region, the 1994 Big Ten Player of the Year and 1995 Big Ten Athlete of the Year. A member of the Indiana Hall of Fame and 2000 Gold medalist with the U.S. Olympic team, Venturella sits near the top of most IU offensive program records, including single-season home runs (16) and runs (57).
The Flames' offense is led by LaRi Mitchell (22 hits, 14 runs) and Lexi Watts (24 hits, 14 runs). Elaine Heflin has seen the most time in the circle with a 6-4 record and 2.05 ERA in 11 appearances. This weekend's Hoosier Classic will be the first action for UIC since March 5.
The Hoosiers face Western Illinois on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Leathernecks are currently 6-19 after dropping a doubleheader to Missouri on Wednesday. Karissa Koucha leads the way offensively as she has registered 32 hits and eight runs. Emily Ira (3-9, 4.42 ERA) and Kacyee Hart (2-8, 6.70 ERA) carry most the pitching load for Western Illinois.
Indiana's final game of the weekend comes on Sunday afternoon against Wright State, who is 8-12. Honnah Susor has been the offensive leader thus far with a 3.81 average, 24 hits, 11 runs and nine RBI. The pitching staff has seen solid time from three Raiders - Montana Wear (2-5, 1.60 ERA), Ashley Sharp (3-5, 2.89 ERA) and Ally Russell (3-2, 3.50 ERA).
The teams also squared off in last year's Hoosier Classic with Indiana walking away with a 7-2 victory.
LAST TIME OUT
IU opened up the home slate last weekend in the Indiana Classic. The Hoosiers went 3-1 with a win against Drake and a pair of victories against Evansville. The lone Indiana loss came against Ohio on Saturday. IU and Drake were due to play again on Monday but it was cancelled due to rain.
HOO-HOO-HOO HOOSIER CLASSIC
This weekend marks the sixth consecutive Hoosier Classic hosted by Indiana. Since the inaugural tournament in 2011, Indiana has a 18-1 record in the Hoosier Classic, including a 4-1 finish last season.
CIRCLE THIS
The Indiana pitching staff shined in the final three games of the Indiana Classic. Freshman Tara Trainer tossed two complete games shutouts, including her first career no-hitter against Evansville on Saturday. The no-hitter was the first for an Indiana pitcher since 2013 and featured a career-high 13 strikeouts from the righty. She also picked up a shutout win against Drake on Sunday.
For the season, Trainer sits at fourth in the Big Ten with a 2.06 ERA, third in the conference with 94 strikeouts and second with an opposing batting average of .169. Meanwhile, fellow freshman Josie Wood's 77.2 innings pitched is fourth in the Big Ten.
On a national scale, Trainer is ranked 20th in the nation in strikeouts, which is the second most among freshmen, ranked 19th in strikeouts per seven innings, third-best among freshmen, and is 20th in hits allowed per seven innings. Meanwhile, Wood's three shutouts is tied for 15th-best nationally.
DEFENSE GETTING IT DONE
Along with solid pitching performances, this year's Hoosiers have been productive with their gloves on defense. Indiana's .971 fielding percentage is second-best in the conference. The outing is a dramatic improvement from the 2015 season, which saw the Hoosiers finish last in the Big Ten with a .941 percentage. Additionally, the Hoosiers are ranked 30th in the nation in fielding percentage.
BLITZ AND LEHMAN PRODUCING
Sophomore Rebecca Blitz plated three runs over the weekend, one in each of Indiana's victories. Blitz scored the lone run in IU's win against Drake on Sunday, crossing the plate in the first inning as IU held on for a 1-0 win. Junior Erin Lehman also scored a trio of runs this weekend, including two against Evansville on Saturday.
TUNE IN
For the first time, every Indiana Softball home game will be available for streaming. Each home contest will be streamed through BTN Plus, a web-only streaming service that is available for a small monthly fee. Of the 23 home games, 11 will be streamed through a full broadcast, while the other 12 will be filmed using a one-camera setup.
Indiana's away series at Michigan State (April 15-17) and Maryland (May 6-8) will also be available on BTN Plus.
Additionally, the Hoosiers will play a pair of games on Big Ten Network, as both games of the April 5 doubleheader at Purdue will be carried on the network.
WHAT ELSE IS ON TAP?
After a mid-week game against Indiana State on March 23, Indiana begins Big Ten play with back-to-back weekend series against Iowa and currently No.2-ranked Michigan.
Other home Big Ten meetings include Penn State (April 8-10) and Ohio State (April 29-May 1). Remaining non-conference games include Louisville (April 12) and Ball State (April 20).
Road conference series for Indiana begins with a doubleheader against Purdue on April 5. The Hoosiers also travel to Michigan State (April 15-17), Rutgers (April 22-24) and Maryland (May 6-8). Penn State will play host to the Big Ten Tournament beginning on May 12.
