Hoosiers explode into Big Ten season

With just one doubleheader left before the start of the Big Ten schedule, members of the IU softball team feel like they've done everything they can to prepare for it.\nIU faces Illinois-Chicago today in its final tune-up before the Big Ten conference schedule.\n"UIC is a good team that will help us prepare," IU coach Stacy Phillips said. "They have a lot of lefties, which is usually a characteristic of the Big Ten, and they have some speed, which is traditional of the Big Ten as well."\nWith the Hoosiers earning two wins and suffering one loss in last week's IU Classic in Bloomington, the team ran its record to 13-11-1 on the year. Team members were happy with their performance, but also realize there is always room for improvement.\n"I thought we played well overall," junior Kim Richards said. "We had a little slump going in the last game, but we just have to get that clutch hit again to get us going."\nWhile the team might have struggled in its last game, it exploded offensively in the second game against Wright State, scoring 11 runs -- tying the most runs scored all season. \nIn that game, Richards recorded a home run -- her fifth of the season -- which leads the team. Richards also leads the team in RBIs.\nThe team has not only done well offensively, but pitching has also been a strength for IU. Senior Mariangge Bogado leads the team in nearly every pitching statistical category, and along with fellow senior Megan Roark, is moving up the ladder on career accomplishments. Bogado and Roark currently sit at third and fourth on the all-time career strikeout list and fifth and six respectively on the season strikeout list.\n"I feel we are getting stronger and stronger every weekend," Roark said. "And hopefully that will keep going as the season continues."\nEven though the team lost its last contest, IU is 8-3 in its last 11 games and looking to keep its confidence up heading into its conference schedule.\n"I am very confident (going into the Big Ten schedule)," Richards said. "Our program is the best that it has been in a long time. (Today)'s game will be a test of how ready we really are"