Relaxed IU hosts Kentucky

Stuck on a five-game losing streak, the IU softball team decided to play a new game in practice yesterday -- kickball.\nThe game of kicks was not just for kicks, though. The team's members said they hope yesterday's loose practice atmosphere will go a long way to break the current slide the Hoosiers are on.\n"I think we needed this practice to relax," said sophomore infielder Jennilee Huddleston. "We were putting too much pressure on ourselves and this will help to remind us how fun softball is supposed to be."\nIU hopes to take that state of mind and bring it into its doubleheader today against the 18-22 Kentucky Wildcats. The last time the two teams matched up in 2004, they split their meetings, but Kentucky leads the all-time series 7-3. The Hoosiers will use this game against an SEC foe to help further prepare for their remaining games in the Big Ten season.\n"These two games will definitely be a big help (for the rest of the season)," said freshman infielder Sarah Padove. "It's going to be a great game tomorrow and we have to come out on top of our game."\nEven though the team has been struggling of late, the Hoosiers say they feel like they have learned something from all the games they have played.\n"We learned that we can never give up," Huddleston said. "We also learned we need to hit the ball and score the runners when they get on base."\nThese games have also displayed some outstanding performances and valuable Big Ten experience. Senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado had an exceptional series, striking out a total of 27 batters in her four appearances in the circle and going 6-for-13 from the plate. Bogado recorded two hits per contest in all but one game last weekend; all against some the nation's top pitchers.\nFor some of the Hoosiers' younger players, these past games have provided invaluable experience. Sophomores Jenatta Deaven, Anna Olson, Julia Hamilton and Huddleston, and freshmen Stephanie Pellerito and Padove have all played major roles both offensively and defensively for the team this year.\nThe team hopes to get back to the basics and its winning ways with the doubleheader against the Wildcats at 2 p.m. at the IU Softball Field.