Softball team's starry season ends in first-round exit at Texas

After a hot start that led to a win the opening game of the first round, the IU softball team suffered two consecutive losses that ended its tournament hopes and their season Saturday. \nHowever, despite the team's early exit from the tournament, 2006 was certainly a season to remember for all involved with IU softball.\nThe Hoosiers started off the weekend with a bang Friday night against the Utah Utes with a 3-0 win. Senior pitcher Mariangee Bogado was the hero of the evening as the Venezuela native pitched an incredible game, giving up just one hit the entire game while striking out seven Ute batters. \n"It was a great feeling," Bogado said. "I was so excited to be there."\nAt the plate, the Hoosiers scattered nine hits but were only able to score one run. Freshman Sarah Padove gave the Hoosiers the early lead with an RBI double in the bottom of the second inning. One inning later, junior Kim Richards provided some insurance for IU with a clutch two-out single that scored senior Lauren Hines and sophomore Jennilee Huddleston. The early runs were more than enough, as the Utes never threatened to score thanks to Bogado's performance on the mound.\n"Right out of the gate we played our softball," Head Coach Stacey Phillips said. "We pitched very well and played great defense."\nWith the win over Utah, IU earned the right to play the host of the regional and the No. 3-ranked team in the country, University of Texas.\nAlthough Bogado and senior Megan Roark allowed just four hits all game, the Hoosiers were unable to get anything going from behind the plate as they combined for just one hit in a 3-0 Longhorn victory, Saturday afternoon.\n"We were facing one of the best teams in the country," Phillips said. "I thought we settled in eventually but unfortunately made some errors early on and they capitalized on them." \nIn the nightcap, the Hoosiers faced Utah for a second time in an intense elimination game. With a win, IU would have earned the right to play Texas Sunday for the right to advance to the next round of the NCAA Tournament. Untimely errors and good hitting by the Utes prevented the Hoosiers from sustaining a late 1-0 lead as the Utes put up a five spot in the bottom of the sixth. \nDespite the abrupt end to their season, the season was deemed a resounding success by IU players and coaches alike.\n"We were very fortunate to have such a successful season and to be able to open doors for the other kids," Roark said. "I'm very happy to have been here for this year. I wouldn't trade it for anything."\nPhillips was also optimistic about the season, as well as the future of IU softball.\n"This was a season of exceeding expectations," Phillips said. "This is an example of what we expect to do as a program. I think we set a benchmark for what Indiana Softball should be about"