Indiana Drops Two in Big/ACC Challenge

Friday, February 16

Atlanta, Ga.

12:30 PM ET

Indiana University

Boston College

2/16/2018 9:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score (PDF) - Boston College Box Score (PDF) - Georgia Tech

ATLANTA, Ga. – Indiana Softball fell to Boston College and Georgia Tech in Friday's Big Ten/ACC Challenge hosted by the Yellow Jackets.

"With our group we just have to continue to grind and not focus on the 'why' of things but focus on the 'what' and 'what's important now,'" said head coach Shonda Stanton. "What can I do to help my team be in the best position to win a ballgame? I think it is important to have a positive mindset and focus on the small things. We're one pitch away and one big hit away."

Boston College 4, Indiana 0
The Hoosiers were shut out of the day's first game as sophomore Gabbi Jenkins picked up Indiana's only two hits of the game.

The Eagles jumped up early in the first inning and never relented. A pair of walks and a single from Carly Severini loaded the bases for Boston College with one out before Jordan Chimento's RBI groundout brought Murphy home to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. A single by Lexi DiEmmanuele to first base extended the lead to 2-0.

"The walks hurt us today – too many free passes," said Stanton. "At this point it's the little things that our hurting us."

Indiana looked to respond immediately as they had a runner reach third base in each of the first three innings. Blitz reached on a Boston College error and advanced to second to start the home half of the first. A groundout from Jenkins moved her to third, but Blitz was caught stealing to end the threat.

The Hoosiers again moved a runner to third base in the second after Makayla Ferrari walked, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Annika Baez. However, a fielder's choice caught her between third and home plate.

After IU junior Tara Trainer settled in to keep the deficit at 2-0 through the fifth, Boston College extended the lead in the sixth on an RBI single from CC Cook. A solo homer from Chloe Sharabba in the seventh rounded out the box score.

Georgia Tech 4, Indiana 1
In the nightcap, Indiana looked to rally late but ultimately fell to Georgia Tech, 4-1. IU's seven hits were the most in a game since knocking 10 in the season opener against Boise State.

The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the second as Draven Sonnon sent a single to right field, plating Katie Krzus, who had reached on a leadoff single.

Georgia Tech loaded the bases with no outs to lead-off the third frame thanks to a walk, single and reach on a fielder's choice. Back-to-back walks made it 3-0 before a sacrifice fly from Kelsey Chisholm plated Rebecca Prairie.

Following up her two-hit effort against Boston College, Jenkins led the fourth inning off with a triple to center. However, the Hoosiers couldn't capitalize as they left her stranded.

One inning later, sophomore Bella Norton looked to get the IU offense going as she sent a one-out double to left center but a pop-up and groundout ended the frame.

Indiana saw solid relief outings from sophomore Emily Goodin and Emily Kirk, who came in for redshirt sophomore Josie Wood. Goodin went 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while Kirk went 0.2 innings, coming in with two runners on but forcing a pair of grounders to keep the deficit at 4-0 heading to the seventh.

Sophomore Katie Lacefield led off the final inning with a single up the middle before coming home on a double from freshman Taylor Lambert to put Indiana on the board. It was the first career RBI by Lambert. After a pair of quick outs, senior Rachel O'Malley drew a walk but a strikeout ended the comeback attempt.

"We need to improve our situational hitting and stringing hits together," said Stanton. "It was nice to see that seventh inning with Lacefield and Lambert getting those shots there. I think right now, every individual needs some confidence at the plate. What we're seeing is when the chips are down and there isn't as much pressure, we're performing. When we have the pressure on and have runners in scoring position, we need to focus on our mental approach at the plate. You get confidence by continuing to work hard and, as a group, we need to continue to battle together. We'll fight through this and we'll be okay."

Up next for Indiana is a 10 a.m. meeting with Boston College on Saturday morning. The Hoosiers will conclude the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Sunday against Georgia Tech.