Losing streaks collide at home

The Hoosiers will attempt to accomplish what the men's basketball team could not do earlier this year as they step out of Big Ten play and try to beat border rival Kentucky in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. today at the IU Softball Field.\nThe Hoosiers will not have the opportunity to grab their first Big Ten victory, but still wantt to add two more wins to their 14 game win total.\n"It would be huge to get two wins," coach Sara Hayes said. "We have been playing so well that our team needs to be rewarded."\nThe deeply talented Big Ten has provided IU strong competition, as the Hoosiers have lost all 10 of its Big Ten games. The Hoosiers will try to extend their four game non-conference win streak, which includes wins over Wright State and Indiana State. \n"I'm confident in our games tomorrow," senior Heather Suca said. "It would definitely help by beating Kentucky and Ball State heading into the weekend against Iowa."\nIU owns an impressive 14-12 record out of Big Ten play. The squad will also look to improve on its sub-par 4-10 home record, having lost eight in a row after playing its first 14 games on the road. \nHelping the Hoosiers to 14 wins has been senior catcher Stormy Hanson, who leads the team in twelve offensive categories. Her .787 slugging percentage and 85 total bases nearly doubles the next Hoosier. \nThe Hoosiers have lost their last four games by an average of two runs, including a pair of two run losses at the hands of Illinois over the weekend. Keeping the Hoosiers in these games has been the consistent pitching of junior Heather Stillians, sophomore Katie Witham and freshman Megan Roark. \nThe big three have combined for a 2.95 team earned run average and all 14 IU wins.\nKentucky's opponents have combined for a 2.00 ERA this season. The Wildcats (9-34, 1-22) are struggling at the plate with a .210 team average. \n"They are in a SEC school and the SEC is very good," senior Katie Joy said. "At this point, It does not matter who we play, as long as we get better everyday."\nAmid a 21-game losing streak, the Wildcats are led by senior Lyndsey Angus who has compiled a .364 average with six home runs and 21 RBIs. \n"I think their record is a little deceiving," Hayes said. "It does not matter who we play as long as we go out and play our game, we should get the results we want"