IU splits series, snaps streak

The IU softball team snapped its nine-game losing streak Tuesday with a 6-5 victory over Wright State (6-16) in the first game of a doubleheader at the IU Softball Field. But the Raiders returned the favor with 1-0 shutout of the Hoosiers (10-20-1) in the second contest.\nIU head coach Diane Stephenson fiddled with the Hoosier batting order, trying to find the right combination. The switches moved catcher/third baseman Brooke Monroe to the lead-off spot and third baseman/catcher Stormy Hanson to the third spot in the order.\nMonroe, a senior, was comfortable batting lead-off, the place in which she'd hit throughout her Hoosier career until earlier this season.\n"I have always been a lead-off hitter, all the way through high school and when I got here," Monroe said. "I am used to it, and I just go up there trying to get us started."\nHanson led the Hoosiers, going 3-for-6 in the doubleheader and raising her team-leading batting average to .360. Outfielder Abby Stark provided the big hit for the Hoosiers in the first game, knocking in two runs with a single in IU's five-run fourth inning.\nSophomore pitcher Heather Stillians got the win for the Hoosiers, moving her record to 6-8 on the year. Stillians threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, three of which were earned. Alison Cooke replaced Stillians in the fifth inning to secure the victory.\nThe second game was a pitchers' duel between IU freshman Katie Witham and Wright State's Kristin Bultinck. IU managed just four hits off Bultinck in seven innings, and Witham surrendered only three hits in five and a third innings pitched.\nThe Raiders scored the lone run of the game in the fifth inning. Wright State shortstop Erin Hanlon singled to right field with one out in the inning. Hanlon advanced to second on a fielder's choice as Stillians got a force out at first base. Hanlon then tried to steal third base and was called safe by the umpire. Raider center fielder Sandra Brieby then singled to center to score Hanlon.\nStephenson didn't think the call on Hanlon at third was the deciding factor in the game.\n"The difference in that game was two plays," Stephenson said. "Brooke Monroe not sliding at second base on a hit-and-run attempt (in the first inning) -- she would have been safe. Stormy gets a base hit, and we would have scored a run. Then on the ball hit to (Stillians at first base), us not getting the lead out at second and that runner scoring. Those plays were the difference in that game."\nIU now heads to Evansville (22-17) for a make-up doubleheader that was originally scheduled for March 20. The first game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Evansville's Cooper Field.\nThe Purple Aces are led by freshman Brooke Luker, who is hitting .342 with 19 RBIs. Freshman pitcher Katie Markle leads Evansville with a 1.56 ERA and a 12-7 record. Markle is allowing opposing teams just a .219 batting average.\nIU goes into the doubleheader with the Purple Aces looking to avenge two losses to Evansville last year. Despite the defeats last year, IU holds a 19-3 all-time record against the Purple Aces.\nStillians believes the Hoosiers need to overcome their mental errors on the field to be successful.\n"We just need to get back to playing how we know how to play instead of second-guessing ourselves," she said. "We have the physical skill for it, but we just need to get our mental game back together -- and we will." \nWith a victory at Evansville, Stephenson will reach the 400-win milestone. She is already the winningest softball coach in IU history.