Team hopes to keep streak alive

IU starts off the Big Ten season Friday when the Michigan Wolverines roll into Bloomington. The Hoosiers (21-16) will face possibly their toughest opponent, as Michigan (25-6) has earned the No. 11 ranking in the nation.\nIU is on a four-game winning streak after beating the University of Illinois-Chicago twice Wednesday in its double header. IU eked out its first win in extra innings, 4-2. In the second game, IU blew past the Flames 8-2. \nSophomore Mariangee Bogado pitched all 10 innings in game one, giving up only four hits and striking out 12 batters. In the second game, sophomore Megan Roark struck out five batters on the way to her complete game win. \nAs game one loomed into extra innings, sophomore Lauren Hines stepped to the plate and promptly ended the game with an infield single. Hines' hit drove in freshman Kim Richards and senior Karly McCormack and gave the Hoosiers the win. \nRichards came up big for the Hoosiers in game two. She hit the rare inside-the-park home run, driving in junior Ashley Griffiths and giving the Hoosiers the 2-1 lead. \nMichigan junior Jessica Merchant just earned the honor of Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time this season. Merchant earned the award by hitting .571 for the week along with three home runs and nine RBIs. \nIU has to come ready to play against Michigan, which dominated its last opponent, Valparaiso, in a double header. The Wolverines out-scored Valparaiso 17-0 to extend their win streak to eight games. \nIU's offense, which has been rolling lately, will face some very stiff competition against Michigan's pitchers. As a staff, Michigan has thrown 13 shutouts this season, looking to break the school record of 24 set in 1996. \nThe Hoosiers will play host to the Wolverines at 3 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. IU will conclude the weekend with a double header against Bowling Green Sunday, with the first game set to start at noon at the IU Softball Field.