Goal remains for IU: Get Big Ten backpacks

The goal was set at the beginning of the year: the IU softball team wanted backpacks. But not just any backpacks; they wanted the ones that say "Big Ten Tournament" on them.\nNow, with only two weekends of Big Ten play remaining, the team has the opportunity to grab those backpacks after a stretch of four wins in its last five games.\nHowever, it will first have to worry about the Indiana State Sycamores today.\n"A goal we had for this year was 30 wins, and we're still looking for that," senior Lauren Hines said. "We need every win, not just in the Big Ten, to improve our winning percentage in case it comes down to that."\nIndiana State comes into the game in a similar situation to IU, who won its last outing against Ball State. Both teams are challenging for a spot in their respective conference tournaments.\nOne aspect of the situation IU coach Stacey Phillips said she likes, however, is that the team controls its own destiny.\n"It feels very good to be in charge of your own fate," Phillips said. "I'm glad we put ourselves in this position so we are not fighting an uphill battle right now."\nSenior Mariangee Bogado leads the Hoosiers in wins with a 16-8 record, while fellow senior Megan Roark has also performed well in the circle for IU. Hines has paced the IU offense this season, leading IU in almost every offensive category.\nWhile the seniors are leading the team, underclassmen have stepped up their games late in the season. Freshmen Sarah Padove and Stephanie Pellerito, sophomores Jennilee Huddleston and Janetta Deaven and juniors Kim Richards and Rachel Terry have all played major roles both offensively and defensively this season.\nIU faces Indiana State at 4 p.m. today at Price Field in Terre Haute. After traveling to Minnesota this weekend, the Hoosiers will close their season with a home series against archrival Purdue on May 6 and 7.