IU looks to shut down top offenses, heads out west

The IU softball team will see some of its toughest action of the season as the team heads to California for a week-long trip that will match the Hoosiers against some of the nation's top teams.\nThe first stop for the Hoosiers is the Long Beach State Tournament, where they will face the No. 15 University of Florida Gators today. Despite compiling a 17-6 overall record this season, the Gators have been unable to beat any Big Ten teams, going 0-4 against the conference this season. The four losses include three to the University of Michigan and one to Michigan State.\nDespite Florida's struggles against the Big Ten, IU coach Stacey Phillips said the team will not take anything for granted.\n"Florida has played a lot of Big Ten teams close," Phillips said. "We try to not worry about who the team is that we are playing. We just try to go in and play our game."\nThe Gators will not be the only ranked team the Hoosiers will face today as IU's second game will match it against No. 25 Long Beach State University. The 49ers have a 12-7 record this season and are coming off an eighth inning 5-1 loss to the University of Washington. Despite the loss, Long Beach State has been an offensive machine this season, out-hitting opponents 128-91. The Hoosiers know they will have to resurrect their ailing offense if they hope to keep up.\n"We really have to be consistent with our hitting," said junior outfielder Lauren Hines. "We have been solid the last couple weekends and we really need to capitalize on what we've done well."\nSaturday, the Hoosiers will face San Diego State University and Loyola Marymount University in back-to-back games.\nThe San Diego State Aztecs got off to a fast start this season, winning their first nine games but have since gone 6-8 in their last 14.\nLoyola Marymount has an 8-5 record, coming off two wins against Boston College in which they scored 21 runs in both games combined.\nIn addition to scoring runs, the Hoosiers know their defense knows will have to hold off many of the best offensive teams in the country.\n"I just need to go out their and pitch my best," said junior pitcher Megan Roark. "Other than that, I'm going to rely on the defense."\nSunday, the Hoosiers match up against Long Beach State for the second time before facing the University of Oklahoma Tuesday in Long Beach and Cal State Northridge Wednesday in Northridge, Calif.\nAfter their week-long trip to "The Golden State," the Hoosiers will get to do something they have been looking forward to all year -- play at home.\n"It will be so nice to be at home next weekend," Hines said. "Playing on our home field and not having to travel will be awesome."\n-- Contact staff writer Kevin Dwire at kdwire@indiana.edu.