Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Penn State University
IU Hosts Penn State This Weekend
4/7/2016 3:49:00 PM | Softball
THE LINEUP
Friday, April 8 - 5 p.m. | Promo: IU Softball Tanktop Giveaway
Saturday, April 9 - 1 p.m. | Promo: Think Pink Game - pink t-shirt giveaway
Sunday, April 10 - 11 a.m. | Promo: Post-game Clinic
CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION
Penn State opened up Big Ten play with a 6-0 mark before falling to Ohio State in both games of a doubleheader on Wednesday in Columbus. The Nittany Lions' two sweeps came against Rutgers and Michigan State.
Penn State's offense has been strong this year as the team is hitting .320 with seven individuals hitting better than that. Macy Jones (.396, 42 hits, 32 runs, 29 RBI) and Shelby Miller (.394, 43 hits, 24 runs, 28 RBI) have been the leaders.
In the circle, the Nittany Lions have mostly used a three-pitcher rotation with Marlaina Laubach (2.63 ERA, 6-7 record), Christy Von Pisch (3.63 ERA, 3-2 record) and Madison Seifert (4.90 ERA, 6-4 record) carrying most of the weight.
Last season, Indiana swept Penn State in University Park, 9-3, 5-4, 7-4. The Hoosiers saw six homers over that weekend: Rachel O'Malley, Michelle Huber (2), CaraMia Tsirigos, Katelyn Conenna (2).
LAST TIME OUT
The Hoosiers traveled to West Lafayette on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Purdue. In game one, IU defeated the Boilermakers, 1-0, behind a one-hit performance from freshman Tara Trainer, who retired the final 14 Boilermakers in order to get the win. Game two same two-run blasts from Huber and Kassi Farmer, but the Hoosiers ultimately fell, 6-4.
MOHR GAMES AT HOME
Indiana continues a stretch of 18 of 20 games at home this weekend. So far this year, IU has gone 9-5 at Andy Mohr Field and has played more overall home games than anyone else in the Big Ten with the next being Penn State with nine home games.
CALLING ON CAWLEY
A big part of Indiana's offensive surge as of late can be credited to redshirt senior Shannon Calwey, who has hit .450 with nine base knocks and a team-best .650 slugging percentage since March 20. Additionally, she is currently riding a team-best seven-game hitting streak, which includes four doubles.
In Big Ten play alone, Cawley is hitting a team-best .533 with a .800 sluggling percentage, eight hits, three runs and three RBI.
SENIORS COMING UP B1G
In addition to Cawley's surge, Indiana has seen big offensive production as of late from other seniors. In the second game against Purdue, both Huber and Farmer homered on two-run shots. In conference action, Farmer has knocked eight hits in eight games, including three doubles and a homer.
BLITZ COVERING HER BASES
In the last 15 games, sophomore Rebecca Blitz has plated 18 runs, including the game-winner against Purdue in game one. Blitz did see her 11-game hitting streak end in game one, while her reached base streak came to an end in game two at 17 games. Her 42 hits on the year is tied for ninth in the Big Ten.
Once she reaches first, she rarely stays put as her 20 stolen bases is tied for second in the Big Ten and ranks 46th nationally.
THIRD INNING'S THE CHARM
Indiana continues to see the third inning as its most productive, both offensively and defensively. The Hoosiers have put up 26 runs in the third inning this season while giving up just six.
YOUNG PITCHING STAFF PUTTING UP IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS
The Indiana pitching staff of freshmen Tara Trainer, Josie Wood and sophomore Emily Kirk continues to put up big numbers. The trio ranks fourth in the Big Ten in ERA (3.03) and second in opposing batting average (.224), while ranking third in strikeouts (243). Indiana has already surpassed last year's strikeout total (174 in 56 games).
Trainer is first in the Big Ten with an opposing batting average of .173 and fifth with 141 strikeouts, including being the top freshman. Meanwhile, Wood ranks fourth in the conference with 112.1 innings pitched, most amongst freshmen. Trainer is right behind her with 108.1 innings tossed.
On a national scale, Trainer is tied for 15th in strikeouts – tied for most among any freshmen – and 21st in strikeouts per seven innings. She also is 23rd in hits allowed per seven innings.
SHUTTING THE DOOR
Behind Indiana's strong pitching and defense, the Hoosiers have not given opponents opportunities for late comebacks as they are 17-0 when leading after the sixth inning.
WHAT ELSE IS ON TAP?
The Hoosiers continue this four-game homestand with a Tuesday battle against Louisville. The only other remaining non-conference game of the year is Ball State on April 20. The final Big Ten home series of the season will be against Ohio State (April 29-May 1).
The rest of the Hoosiers' conference road series includes 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.
