Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Ball State University
Indiana Hosts Ball State in Final Non-Conference Game
4/19/2016 3:38:00 PM | Softball
CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION
Ball State comes to Bloomington having dropped three in a row and eight of the last nine. The Cardinals are sitting at a 4-11 record in the MAC, with wins coming in a sweep against Ohio and a victory against Buffalo.
The Cardinals are led offensively by Madison Lee (.349, 38 hits, 17 runs 10 RBI), Rachel Houck (.316, 42 hits, 26 runs, 20 RBI) and Emily Dabkowski (.311, 38 hits, 27 runs, 35 RBI, 8 HR).
In the circle, Ball State relies primarily on the arms of Nicole Steinbach (3.56 ERA, 14-14, 33 app.), Carolyn Wilmes (7.00 ERA, 2-6, 22 app.) and Kelsey Schifferdecker (10.02 ERA, 2-4, 16 app.).
LAST TIME OUT
The Hoosiers traveled to East Lansing, Mich. over the weekend for a three-game set with Michigan State. The Spartans took the first two games before Indiana rallied to take the finale on Sunday, 2-1.
EMILY KIRK IN THE CIRCLE
A week after earning her first complete game victory against Penn State, sophomore Emily Kirk picked up her second as she went the distance in Indiana's 2-1 victory against Michigan State. Although she didn't record a strikeout, Kirk allowed only one walk and one extra base hit in the game. Kirk made appearances in all three games of the series. On Friday she went 2.2 innings in relief, allowing one run. Saturday's game saw her throw 1.0 hitless inning, Going back to Indiana's April 9 meeting with Penn State, Kirk has appeared in six straight games for the Hoosiers. In that time frame, she leads the Indiana pitching staff with a 2-0 mark and a 1.88 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched. Half of her season's workload has come in the last six games and she is currently sitting at a 3.66 ERA on the year.
1-2 PUNCH
The duo of sophomore Rebecca Blitz and junior Erin Lehman have been successful in getting the Hoosier offense going in the 1-2 lineups slots this season. Blitz, who has hit leadoff in every game this year, has an on-base percentage of .453 when she leads off an inning. She is currently riding a seven-game reached-base streak. Once she makes it to first, she rarely stays put as she has 25 stolen bags on the year, good for fifth-most in a single season at Indiana. In the Big Ten, she has the third most stolen bases this year and ranks 40th in the nation.
Lehman has been second in the lineup for 32 games this year and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, with four of those games including multi-hit efforts. She collected six hits over the weekend while hitting .545 and knocked three hits in the finale on Sunday. In the last six games, Lehman is batting .550 with 11 hits, six runs and a pair of RBI. Additionally, she has five stolen bags in that time.
DOTSON COMES UP BIG SUNDAY
After missing the last month with an injury, catcher Kelsey Dotson returned to the lineup this weekend. The senior drew a walk in each of the first two games, but truly made her presence felt in the finale as she belted a two-run double in the fifth inning to score Blitz and Lehman and put the Hoosiers ahead of the Spartans, 2-1.
SHUTTING THE DOOR
Behind Indiana's strong pitching and defense, the Hoosiers have not given opponents opportunities for late comebacks as they are 18-0 when leading after the sixth inning. Additionally, Indiana is 18-1 when leading after five innings.
WHAT ELSE IS ON TAP?
The Hoosiers hit the road again to face Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. this weekend. First game is set for Friday at 3 p.m.
The final Big Ten home series of the season will be against Ohio State (April 29-May 1).
Indiana will wrap up the regular season portion of the schedule with a visit to Maryland (May 6-8). Penn State will play host to the Big Ten Tournament beginning on May 12.
RANKINGS IN THE BIG TEN
BATTING
Stolen bases:
- 3rd - Rebecca Blitz (25)
- 12th - Erin Lehman (11)
Hits:
- 7th - Rebecca Blitz (51)
Plate appearances:
- T-11th - Rebecca Blitz (154)
Sacrifice bunts:
- T-3rd - Erin Lehman (7)
PITCHING
ERA:
- 13th - Tara Trainer (3.42)
Opposing BA:
- 4th - Tara Trainer (.193)
- 11th - Josie Wood (.259)
Innings pitched:
- 8th - Josie Wood (123.1)
- 9th - Tara Trainer (122.2)
Strikeouts:
- 5th - Tara Trainer (153)*
*tied for 11th most in a single season at Indiana
- 8th - Josie Wood (103)
