One goal for IU: Get backpacks

The IU softball team starts its season this weekend in McKinney, Texas, with one thing on its mind -- backpacks.\nThe Hoosiers are not thinking about the run-of-the-mill North Face backpacks seen around campus, but special backpacks reserved for the participants of the Big Ten Tournament -- something the Cream and Crimson have not competed in since 1997.\n"Our No. 1 goal is to make the Big Ten Tournament," IU coach Stacey Phillips said. "We haven't been to the tournament since 1997, and that's way too long -- it's unacceptable... We have the talent and we certainly have the pitching."\nDespite the long postseason drought, Phillips said she knows the team is anxious to prove it is one of the best in the Big Ten.\n"It's amazing how many people know what I mean when I say you get the Big Ten backpack," Phillips said. "They haven't gotten their Big Ten backpacks, and that's what they want to get. It's something small and minute, but it symbolizes what you've been trying to do all year."\nPhillips enters her second season as head coach without the interim title she held last season while leading the Hoosiers to a 13-41 overall record and a 2-18 mark in conference play. During her two seasons, Phillips has compiled an experienced coaching staff.\n"They have retaught everything and everyone is so much better," senior outfielder Lauren Hines said. "We are so much more excited to work even harder because we are learning to play softball in a whole new way."\nThe team will be anchored by a three-pronged pitching attack composed of seniors Mariangee Bogado and Megan Roark and junior Christy Whal. The three hurlers combined to strike out 282 batters last season. Success for the Hoosiers starts from the pitching circle, Phillips said.\n"Pitching is going to be a huge key for us," Phillips said. "We have a lot of experience in the pitching circle which is a good thing to have with a young team, because at least we are going to have the pitchers to keep us in the game."\nThe Hoosiers will have to overcome inexperience in the infield with three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior taking the majority of responsibilities.\n"We are still very young on the team," Phillips said. "We've had the chance to mold the team the way we want to, and so far the players have reacted in a very positive manner. They come to practice and want to work very hard every day."\nThe three seniors have experienced hard times the past three seasons, and they will be called upon to help usher the underclassmen through the ups and downs of a collegiate softball season. \n"I think with the veterans, they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly," Phillips said. "They are able to vocalize the team, and they are good teachers of the game."\nAfter the Oklahoma OU/Nike Classic, the Hoosiers will be on the road for the next four weeks playing in various tournaments.\nWhile the Hoosiers are focused on taking one game at a time, they still have one goal in mind -- getting their backpacks.\n"I want that so bad," junior outfielder Abby Page said. "I've wanted it every single day, every single practice since I've been here as a freshman. I want that more than anything else in the world"