IU sweeps Illinois for 1st Big Ten wins

After struggling last weekend against Michigan State and losing a heartbreaker to Louisville Wednesday, the IU softball team traveled to Illinois and Iowa this weekend for four conference games.\nThe Hoosiers wasted no time turning things around, beating the Illini 4-3 Friday evening. \n"We were definitely motivated," said sophomore center fielder Kim Richards. "We proved we can play in this conference." \nAfter two quiet innings, the IU offense came to life, notching four runs in the third inning thanks to two Illinois errors. \nThe blue and orange charged back with two in the fifth and another in the sixth, but IU was too much.\nJunior Mariangee Bogado pitched three no-hit innings in relief to earn the save, IU's first of the year. Junior Megan Roark earned the victory, bringing her season record to 9-13.\nIU continued its hot play Saturday downing the Illini in another close game of 3-2. Richards led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to give the Hoosiers the early lead.\nThe center fielder later made a nice diving catch in the third inning that prevented Illinois from scoring.\nAfter giving up an unearned run that tied the game, Bogado pitched out of a jam in the fourth, leaving Illini runners stranded in scoring position. \nIU took advantage, scoring twice in their half of the inning. The Hoosiers held on for the victory, giving Bogado her first win of the season.\n"It was great to get the win," Bogado said. "I felt very confident and the team really supported me."\nThe two victories gave IU its first two-game sweep since 1999 against Ohio State and their first Big Ten two-game road sweep since 1998 versus Penn State.\n"This was a huge step for us," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "It feels good to get some wins."\nAfter sweeping the Illini, the Hoosiers traveled to Iowa for a Sunday doubleheader. IU struggled through both games, losing 5-0 and 3-0. \n"Iowa's one of the top teams in the nation," Richards said. "We can't make mistakes against a team like that."\nIowa starters Lisa Birocci and Ali Arnold threw a combined 14 innings, striking out 20 Hoosier batters, and allowing only three combined hits in two games.\n"Their pitchers did a nice job of hitting their spots," Phillips said. "We just didn't connect on them."\nAfter going 2-2 this weekend, IU's record now stands at 12-27 overall, 2-4 in Big Ten play. \nThe Hoosiers will travel to Indiana State Wednesday to make up a March 23 game that was postponed due to rain.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.