No. 19 Indiana Matches Best Start in Program History at 11-0

Friday, February 22

Macon, Ga.

11:00 AM

Indiana University

10-0

Akron

5-4-2

Indiana

Akron

No. 19 Indiana Matches Best Start in Program History at 11-0

2/22/2019 3:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score (PDF) - Akron Box Score (PDF) - Loyola Chicago

MACON, Ga. – The No. 19 ranked Indiana Softball team improved its record to 11-0 Friday, matching the 1990 campaign for the best start in program history. The Hoosiers defeated Akron in game one, 8-1, before shutting out previously unbeaten Loyola Chicago, 1-0, in the Black and Orange Challenge hosted by Mercer.

In addition, Indiana's 11-game winning streak is the best since the 2011 team won 15 straight games from April 9 to May 7.

Senior Tara Trainer earned both wins in the circle for Indiana while junior Katie Lacefield knocked three home runs, including a pair in game one.

Game One: No. 19 Indiana 8, Akron 1
KEY MOMENTS
• Trainer and redshirt junior Josie Wood combined for the no-hitter in game one of the day. Trainer got the win as she went 4.0 innings, allowing just one run and striking out six. Wood collected her second save of the season as she tossed 3.0 innings of hitless action, striking out four.
• Indiana jumped to a 1-0 first inning lead as junior Bella Norton knocked a two-out RBI single to right, plating sophomore Taylor Lambert who reached on a leadoff single.
• IU tacked on a run in the following inning by again relying on two-out hitting as Lambert went opposite field to left to plate sophomore Grayson Radcliffe, who drew a walk to get on base.
• Lacefield picked up where she left off last weekend as she knocked her second home run in as many games, this time a third-inning solo shot to center to push the Indiana lead to 3-0. A fourth run came across as Radcliffe knocked a two-out double to right before stealing third and coming home on a wild pitch by Akron pitcher Mikayla Newland.
• The Zips got on the board in the third after a pair of walks put two on for Macky Mitchiner, whose groundout plated Madison Carter.
• A two-run shot by Lacefield in the fourth pushed Indiana's lead to 6-1. The multi-home run game is the first of her career and the first time since CaraMia Tsirigos on April 7, 2017 that a single Hoosier has hit two homers in a game.
• The bats weren't finished as sophomore Annika Baez knocked a two-run home run of her own in the seventh.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Lambert went 3-for-4 with a run and RBI, marking her third multi-hit effort of the season.
• Along with Lacefield, Norton also delivered a pair of hits for the Hoosiers.
• The three long balls are the most in a single game for Indiana since hitting four at Purdue on April 25, 2018.
• Indiana's 13 base knocks was a season high.

Game Two: No. 19 Indiana 1, Loyola Chicago 0
KEY MOMENTS
• After a quiet first few innings from both teams, Lacefield put the Hoosiers on the board in the fourth as she continued her hot hitting with a solo home run to center.
• The Ramblers threatened to respond quickly as Allyson Ivey led off the fifth with a single down the left field line before pinch runner Caitlin Engelking advanced to second on a wild pitch. However, she was left stranded on a fantastic diving grab in foul territory by left fielder Tete Hart.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Trainer tossed her fourth complete game of the year as she allowed just three hits and a walk while fanning seven Ramblers.
• Loyola Chicago's pitcher Kiley Jones also went the distance as she surrendered five hits and struck out four.
• At the plate, IU also saw Norton, Radcliffe, Hart and Jenkins collect a base hit.
• Lacefield's three home runs today are one more than she had during her first two years combined at Indiana. With four on the season, she now has six career long balls.

HEAD COACH SHONDA STANTON
"At 11-0, we've tied the best start in school history and you are talking about 46 years of Indiana Softball. That's something to celebrate. One thing we've talked about since taking this job is changing the mindset. When you operate as a winner with your actions and you don't set any limitations, great things can happen. That's what we're seeing with the ballclub.

"In game one, we're swinging the sticks with 13 hits and Tara and Josie combine for the no-hitter. In game two, we proved we can win a 1-0 ballgame and we were facing a team that has a lot of confidence. Their pitcher did a nice job limiting our offensive production. On the day our defense made great catches when they needed to, Tete Hart and Makayla Ferrari both made great plays in left field. These athletes are stepping up and making the most of their opportunities. And how about Lacefield? She had three bombs, that's pretty fun. When she rounded third, she said 'this is fun.' Winning is fun and being successful is fun. I want us to approach every day we wake up wearing the Script Indiana knowing how fun it is."

UP NEXT
Indiana returns to action in the Black and Orange Challenge on Saturday. Due to the projected forecast, the Hoosiers will now play North Carolina A&T at 2:30 p.m. and tournament host Mercer at 7 p.m.