IU looks to end losing streak

Through the first six games in the Big Ten schedule, IU has yet to defeat a conference opponent. After promising performances against tough non-conference foes such as Nebraska and Harvard, the Hoosiers' (23-23, 0-6) start to the Big Ten season is certainly upsetting.\n"It is disappointing because we are not fully executing right now," IU coach Sara Hayes Nottger said. "We have now seen the top three teams in the Big Ten for this year in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan. All three teams have some of the best hitting and some of the best pitching in the country. We had our chances (last weekend) but we didn't execute as well as we should have."\nThe three Big Ten opponents IU has faced thus far are a combined 22-2 in the Big Ten. \nIU will try to end its five game losing streak when it visits Evansville to take on the Aces today. Evansville (30-13) is on a losing streak of its own, fresh off two loses to Witchita State, losing both games by one run each.\nExecution will be key when the team travels south. Against Illinois, the Hoosiers could only muster two runs off of six hits. Freshman Tory Yamaguchi put the Hoosiers on the board in game two against Illinois with her solo home run, her seventh of the season.\nIf the offense gets clicking, they will be backed up by the solid pitching of sophomore Mariangee Bogado and sophomore Megan Roark. Bogado leads the Hoosiers with a 1.36 ERA while Roark boasts an 8-6 record for the season. \nThe Hoosiers will likely have to face Aces junior Casey Clutch on the mound. Clutch has thrown four shutouts this season on her way to a 15-6 record and a 1.45 ERA.\nIU continues its Big Ten season Friday when it travels to Madison to take on the Badgers. Wisconsin (23-19, 3-5) is currently ranked seventh in the Big Ten and is fresh off of a 11-8 victory over Michigan State. \nThe Hoosiers will face Evansville at 6 p.m. Tuesday.