Hoosiers look to finish strong

After beginning its six-game road trip on a high note Wednesday, the IU softball team will travel this weekend to Ohio State and Penn State to play four crucial Big Ten games.\nWednesday, the Hoosiers started their road trip right, defeating the Evansville Aces 5-0 behind junior Mariangee Bogado, who threw her first career no-hitter.\n"I just wanted to get a win for the team and myself," Bogado said. "My curveball was really going, and I just felt real comfortable out there."\nOn the evening, Bogado threw seven innings, striking out eight while issuing four walks.\nBogado's no-hitter Wednesday against the Purple Aces was the third of the season for the Hoosiers. Junior Megan Roark has thrown two this season, one against Southern University and a perfect game against IU-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.\n"It was great getting a win heading into this weekend," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "We lost some tough games last weekend, so to come in here positive and get some early runs was a great sign for a coach to see."\nIU will begin its weekend play at 5 p.m. Friday at Ohio State. The Hoosiers will wrap up the two-game set at noon Saturday.\nThe Buckeyes are coming off a 5-0 victory against Bowling Green State University on Wednesday. Because of bad weather conditions last weekend, all four of Ohio State's games were canceled. Ohio State has a 23-14 overall record and a 4-6 Big Ten record. \nLast year in Bloomington, IU split its two games with the Buckeyes.\nSunday, the Hoosiers will travel to Penn State for a doubleheader beginning at noon. The Nittany Lions have won eight of their last 12 games, including a doubleheader sweep against the University of Akron Zips Wednesday. Their recent hot streak has boosted their record to an impressive 30-18 overall, but a lackluster 6-7 mark in conference.\nIU pitchers will have their work cut out for them Sunday as they face an impressive Nittany Lion offense. Freshman Ashley Esparza leads five Penn State hitters who have a .300 batting average or higher with a Ted Williams-like batting average of .413.\nPenn State has been equally good in the pitching circle earning a run average under two runs a game.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.