IU wins Big Ten opener for 1st time since '97 season

IU recorded victories over Ohio State and Penn State for the first time since 2004 and won its Big Ten opener for the first time since 1997 this weekend, a successful beginning to what the Hoosiers hope will be a successful conference run.\nThe Hoosiers started out the weekend with two games against Ohio State on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, IU took the victory 4-1. \nThe team scored two runs in the third inning and then the Buckeyes countered in the fifth, scoring their only run of the day. With IU holding a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, senior Mariangee Bogado lined a single and then fellow senior Lauren Hines sent her home with a home run to ultimately put the game out of reach, as neither team would score again.\nThe Hoosiers would go on to lose the next game Saturday 6-3, proving unable to recover from a grand slam from the Buckeyes in the second inning. Hines hit another home run and Bogado threw solid relief innings in the losing effort.\nBogado would continue her solid work in the circle Sunday as she threw 12 of the 14 innings and gave up no runs in the doubleheader against Penn State. Bogado was throwing darts before she was forced out of the game after a grounder up the middle went off her shin. Senior Megan Roark came in to close out the final two innings, surrendering only one hit.\n"It's awesome to have two solid senior pitchers," Hines said. "Mariangee pitched absolutely amazing today and Roark came into an even tougher situation and did a really great job."\nIn the first game of the day, Bogado lasted all seven innings and only surrendered three hits. Two freshmen led the offense, as shortstop Stephanie Pellerito and second baseman Sarah Padove recorded their second and first career home runs, respectively. The two freshmen went back-to-back in the bottom of the sixth to end the Hoosiers hitting streak and lead the team to a four-run inning.\nIn the second game of the day, the home runs continued, as junior Kim Richards went 4-for-4, including a solo shot to left field that started off the scoring for both teams in the top of the fourth. Richards also made a diving catch in center field in the bottom of the sixth to help secure the shutout. \n"This was a whole team effort," Richards said. "We strung hits together, played solid defense and found the clutch hit that we struggled to find in the preseason."\nHines hit another homer in the game, her third of the weekend, after sophomore Jennilee Huddleston reached first on an error in the top of the fifth inning.\n"We are taking all the steps that are appropriate to reach our goals for the season," said coach Stacy Phillips. "The girls have done a phenomenal job. These wins were all about them."\nThe Hoosiers look to continue their winning ways Tuesday when they take on intrastate rival Evansville in Bloomington.