Team to use 1st game as catalyst for season

In the grand scheme of things, the softball team's first game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Evansville could be considered just another pre-season game. But coach Diane Stephenson sees it as a potential catalyst for a successful season.\n"I think every game is important, but we haven't had a lot of success around here lately," Stephenson said. "So it'll be interesting to see how we respond, because winning is a habit that is learned, so in terms of that I think the game is important."\nStephenson's players are champing at the bit to get the season under way.\n"After all these weeks of practice, I'm very excited to be playing," sophomore Lisa Mattke said. "All week I've just been thinking about the game on Saturday. I'm very anxious to get going."\nMattke will be one of three pitchers who will likely see action against the Purple Aces.\n"Lisa, Alison (Cooke) and Heather (Stillians) all should (pitch on Saturday)" Stephenson said. "I'd like to give everybody some innings."\nThe Purple Aces, who tied for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference last year with a 37-21-1 record, including 11-7 in conference, will provide the Hoosiers with a talented opponent.\nThe Aces return 12 letterwinners, including MVC Pitcher and Player of the year in seniors Maggie Ross and Jessica Huff.\n"They're a very good team -- all the way through their lineup they can hit and they are a very well-coached team," Stephenson said of the Purple Aces.\nAfter weeks of practice, the Hoosiers believe they are up to the challenge.\n"We've come along way, I can tell you that," junior outfielder Moe Bullock said. "I think we're ready to go."\nThe Hoosiers want to use these preseason games to gain confidence before Big Ten play.\n"These games will let us know what we are capable of. They're very important because they'll determine how far we will go later in the season," Bullock said.\nAnother important aspect of any squad's first game is for the team to find out how far it has progressed and where it needs to improve.\n"I think the big thing is to just get out and play and see how the defense is and how we're playing on offense," sophomore co-captain Stormy Hanson said. "Last year they were a pretty good team, so we can't just show up; we'll have to play well."\nWhile there are some unanswered questions surrounding the squad, the team does enter the season almost at full strength, with the primary exception being at second base, where regular starter Heather Suca is out with mononucleosis. Freshman Abby Stark will fill in for Suca.\n"I was quite upset when they told me that I would miss some time," Suca said. "But it's better to have happen now than if it were to happen during Big Ten season. And Abby is doing a really good job."\nSuca expects to return for the team's next game, Feb. 16 at the North Carolina Tournament.\nThe Hoosiers are looking for a repeat performance of the last time they met the Purple Aces at the Lloyd Expressway Complex, where the Hoosiers came out with a 6-3 victory.