Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Indiana State University
IU Hosts Indiana State in Midweek Battle
3/22/2016 2:50:00 PM | Softball
CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION
The Sycamores currently sit at a 7-19 record. Indiana State recently saw its four-game winning streak snapped as the Sycamores dropped a pair of games to Bradley over the weekend.
Indiana State's offense has been productive with a .259 average. Junior Brooke Riemenschneider is leading the way with a .375 average, 24 hits, 11 runs and 14 RBI. Three other Sycamores - Shaye Barton, Kassie Brown and Erika Crissman - have also knocked 20 or more this season.
In the circle, Abby Klopp (4.29 ERA, 2-5 record, 17 appearances) and Bailey Benefiel (7.69 ERA, 5-14 record, 25 appearances) have carried most of the workload.
LAST TIME OUT
IU hosted its annual Hoosier Classic tournament last weekend and went 2-1. Indiana picked up a 3-2 win against UIC on Friday before storming back from a first-inning 7-0 deficit to defeat Western Illinois, 11-8. The Hoosiers dropped the final game of the weekend to Wright State on Sunday evening, 4-1.
TRAINER EARNS THIRD B1G AWARD
Pitcher Tara Trainer was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday for the second straight week and the third time this season.
Trainer also won the award on Feb. 29. Additionally, it's the fourth of the season for the Hoosiers as fellow pitcher Josie Wood was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Feb. 22.
The Lebanon, Ohio native registered an ERA of just 1.05 in 13.1 innings pitched during the Hoosier Classic, collecting 16 strikeouts.
Her most impressive performance came against Western Illinois on Sunday as she stepped into the circle in the first inning as the Hoosiers trailed 7-0 with a pair of outs. Trainer picked up the final out of the frame and went a total of 6.1 innings, allowing just one run on two hits and striking out five. Her dominance allowed the Indiana bats the opportunity to score 11 unanswered runs to win the game.
Trainer got the start against UIC on Friday and went 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out eight. Her final appearance of the weekend came in a 1.2 inning-relief appearance where she struck out three and did not allow a single hit against Wright State on Sunday.
The righty is fourth in the conference with an ERA of 1.89 and tied for third with 110 strikeouts. Additionally, she is the top freshman in both of those categories.
On a national scale, Trainer ranks 15th in strikeouts – second most among freshmen – and 15th in hits allowed per seven innings – fourth-best among freshmen.
BLITZ COVERING HER BASES
Sophomore Rebecca Blitz has plated at least one run in each of the last six games, including a three-run showing against Western Illinois on Sunday. Additionally, her four-game hitting streak leads the team, as does her seven-game reached base streak.
Once she reaches base, she rarely stays put as her 16 stolen bases is third in the Big Ten and ranks 33rd nationally.
WEEKEND AT THE PLATE
Indiana saw impressive offensive production from numerous Hoosiers. Senior Michelle Huber led the team with a .625 average. The Carmel, Ind. native collected five hits over the weekend, including a three-hit showing against UIC on Friday. Junior Erin Lehman was .455 at the plate with five hits. She knocked in four runs against Western Illinois on a pair of RBI singles. Junior CaraMia Tsirigos knocked her team-leading third home run of the season against Western Illinois on a two-run shot to bring Indiana to with 7-5.
IU set a single-season high with 11 runs scored against Wright State on Sunday. Additionally, the game matched the biggest Hoosier comeback in 20 years as the Hoosiers trailed in the first inning, 7-0.
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?
Indiana begins Big Ten play this weekend in the first of a back-to-back 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.
