Indiana Shuts Out Penn State in Five Innings, 8-0

Friday, April 20

Bloomington, Ind.

6:00 PM ET

Indiana University

19-25, 0

Penn State

7-33, 0

Penn State

Indiana

Indiana Shuts Out Penn State in Five Innings, 8-0

4/20/2018 8:39:00 PM | Softball

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Behind a five-RBI outing from freshman Maddie Westmoreland and a one-hit shutout from junior Tara Trainer, Indiana Softball took game one of the series against Penn State in five innings on Friday, 8-0. The victory, which improved Indiana's Big Ten record to 11-2, was the second run-rule win in as many weekends for the Hoosiers.

"We're here to play," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "This is that separation weekend in the conference and I think we're really starting to understand that every pitch is important, every game is important and so now we have to turn around and be ready to play tomorrow."

Westmoreland went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a three-run home run. Junior Sarah Galovich also homered as her solo shot in the fifth ended the game early for the Hoosiers.

Trainer collected six strikeouts, allowing just one walk and one hit in the first inning before retiring the final 14 batters to end the game.

IU recorded four stolen bases in the win, bringing the total to 91 on the year, which ties the Indiana program record set in 1988.

The Hoosiers put a runner on in the first and second innings on singles from Westmoreland and senior Taylor Uden. However, both times they were left on.

IU broke through in the third, sparked by a leadoff walk from senior Rebecca Blitz and a single by sophomore Gabbi Jenkins to set the stage for Westmoreland, who sent her three-run shot off the foul pole in left. It marked her team-leading eighth home run of the season.

Further putting the game out of reach in the following inning, the Hoosiers plated three runs with two outs to extend the lead to 7-0. Blitz started the scoring as she singled to third base, extending her hitting streak to 18 games and plating freshman Makayla Ferrari, in running for sophomore Bella Norton. After a walk to Jenkins loaded the bases, Westmoreland sent one back up the middle to bring in freshman Taylor Lambert and Blitz. The final run of the frame came on an RBI groundout by sophomore Katie Lacefield, scoring Jenkins.

"Maddie stood out today, she hit the ball hard and had five RBI," said Stanton. "After one time through the lineup, it was nice to see us make adjustments. I thought we made plays and got a better start out of Tara, and it was just all-around team effort. It was nice to see Blitz and Gabbi get things going for us in the third. On a whole, I really liked our mindset today. We were super aggressive and responded after the midweek game."

Galovich led off the fifth with a homer to deep center to secure the run-rule victory, her fourth home run of the season.

Indiana and Penn State return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. It will be a Pink Game for the Hoosiers as fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. Admission to all home games is free of charge.