Hoosiers hope to transfer momentum to conference contests

Coming off a 9-0 shutout of IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis Tuesday, the IU softball team returns to the field today as it travels for the weekend to play two games at both Minnesota and Wisconsin.\nIn the victory over IUPUI, IU had its second error-free game of the year as senior pitcher Alison Cooke notched the ninth shutout of her career.\nCooke thought the Hoosiers' improved defensive showing would give them confidence and carry them into the weekend games.\n"Solid defense is really what it comes down to -- just pitching it and letting the defense behind you do the work," Cooke said. "The defense's play will help up with confidence going into the Big Ten weekend. It is really nice to see solid play."\nAgainst IUPUI, IU coach Diane Stephenson switched up the Hoosier defensive lineup, completely revamping the IU infield. Junior Heather Suca was moved from second base to third base, senior Brooke Monroe went from catcher/third base to shortstop and freshman Annika Ochoa and sophomore Valerie White started at second and first, respectively.\nWith the error-free performance, Stephenson was pleased with the changes and thought she might keep them in line for the weekend.\n"The defense did a really good job (against IUPUI)," Stephenson said. "We mixed the lineup up a little bit. It was the first game for Heather (Suca) at third and for Brooke (Monroe) at third, and I think they did a really nice job. We will definitely continue to work on that and look for that this weekend."\nIU (12-25-1, 0-12 Big Ten) will be in search of its first Big Ten win when it takes on Minnesota at 6 p.m. in Minneapolis, Minn. The Golden Gophers (31-16, 5-5) have won five of their last six games, including a doubleheader sweep of Drake on Wednesday. The Gophers and Hoosiers will also play at noon Saturday.\nMinnesota is led by outfielder Tammi Hays, who was hitting a team high .369 coming into the week. The Gopher pitching duo of Piper Marten and Angie Recknor will pose stiff opposition to the Hoosier hitters. Marten boasts a 17-9 record with a 1.09 ERA and 277 strikeouts in just 166 2/3 innings pitched. Opposing hitters are batting a measly .161 against Marten. Recknor has a 10-6 record on the year with a 1.12 ERA.\nFollowing their games with Minnesota, the Hoosiers will travel to Wisconsin (25-14, 7-5) to play a doubleheader Sunday starting at noon. The Badgers enter the weekend having won four of their last five, including a 2-0 shutout of No. 12 Michigan last weekend.\nPitchers Andrea Kirchberg and Katie Layne lead Wisconsin. Kirchberg has a 1.50 ERA while compiling a 16-11 record and striking out 214 opposing hitters. Layne has a 9-3 record with a 1.54 ERA. Infielder Meghann Reiss leads the Badger hitters with a .291 average and seven doubles on the year.\nJunior Stormy Hanson believes if the Hoosiers play to their potential they will be successful against the Gophers and Badgers. \n"I hope as a team that we can come out and perform to what we are capable of defensively, offensively and our pitching staff," Hanson said. "We know that we can do it, and hopefully it will lead to a sweep for the weekend"