Hoosiers struggle in opener against MSU

After a grueling early season schedule, the IU softball team played its first Big Ten games of the season this weekend, losing twice to Michigan State.\nIn less than favorable weather conditions, the Hoosiers (10-24 overall, 0-2 in conference) took the field Friday afternoon with junior pitcher Megan Roark on the mound.\nThe Spartans jumped out to an early lead in the second inning, scoring five runs on only three hits.\nThe Hoosiers tried to come back, scattering seven hits, but were unable to bring any of them in, stranding eight runners on base. IU went on to lose the Big Ten opener 8-0.\nA bright spot for the cream and crimson was the return of pitcher Mariangee Bogado who had missed the last month and a half with a broken bone in her left wrist.\n"It felt great to be out there," Bogado said. "I just have to get my rhythm back."\nBogado threw 3 and 2/3 innings, surrendering only one run in her return.\nBefore Saturday's game began, IU honored Indiana Hall of Fame pitcher Amy Unterbrink-Poljan who threw out the first pitch of the game.\nDuring her playing career as a Hoosier, Unterbrink-Poljan set countless records for IU, including IU's best career win/loss record (96-45-2) and most innings pitched (1101).\n"Today was a tribute to Amy and the IU softball program," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "She is still part of the program."\nMichigan State got on the board first again, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Center fielder Kim Richards saved a run when she gunned down a Spartan runner at home to end the inning.\nThe Spartans would tag on one more run in the third inning, giving them a 3-0 lead.\nAfter scoring a run in the fifth to close the gap, IU came to the plate in the seventh down two runs. The Hoosiers tallied another run when first baseman Tory Yamaguchi hit an RBI triple on a 0-2 count that scored Richards from first base.\nWith two outs and Yamaguchi on third, right fielder Lauren Hines came to the plate hoping to tie or win the game. Hines hit a fly ball that on most days would have been a home run, but a strong wind brought it back allowing Spartan right fielder Elizabeth Peterson to make the game-winning catch.\nThough the Hoosiers lost both games this weekend, they did get some great contributions from the defense. Friday's game featured a 1-4-3 double play and a nice grab by third baseman Rachel Terry on a screaming line drive.\n"With the defense behind you, it allows you to relax out there," Roark said. "It helps with your confidence overall."\nThe Hoosiers will travel to Louisville Wednesday to take on the Cardinals at 3 p.m.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.