Minnesota sweeps IU at home in doubleheader

The IU softball team embarked on its first road trip of the Big Ten season, facing the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday in Minneapolis for a doubleheader. \nThe team was swept in the doubleheader, 5-4 in the first game and 3-1 in the second.\nThe Gophers now hold a 41-39 lead in the all-time series.\nSenior Kim Richards tried to lead the Hoosiers to a win in the first game when she hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning of a 3-3 tied game. But Minnesota’s Shannon Stemper countered Richards’ hit and drove home two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to give her team the victory in the first game. \nIn the second game, a stellar performance from Gopher pitcher Katie Dalen proved to be too much for the Hoosiers’ bats.\nSophomore Sarah Padove said IU had trouble scoring.\n“I think the game came down to runs,” Padove said. “ Our pitchers did well and we had some people on base and we couldn’t hit them in.”\nThe Hoosiers, who are 1-5 away from home and 1-7 in conference play, were looking to use this game to improve both aspects of their record. A victory could have also been applied to the team’s morale heading into a stretch of road games. \nIU had a great launching pad into this string of games from their stellar performance against Indiana State, where they made big hits in the closing innings of the game that allowed them to gain a lead they didn’t relinquish. \nThe game served as a bright spot in a recent skid that saw the Hoosiers squad going 3-8 before the Indiana State contest.\nIU coach Stacey Phillips said she was proud of her squad and the determination they showed in the Indiana State game.\n“You can’t teach heart,” Phillips said. “But to have the talent we have on top of the heart is great.” \nBut that lone bright spot might not be enough for the Hoosiers after these losses to the Gophers. IU’s game against Minnesota served as a makeshift home opener for the Gophers. Minnesota’s four previously scheduled home series were canceled due to poor weather and unplayable field conditions. \nIn addition to having its series at Penn State canceled April 1, Minnesota also canceled games with Iowa (April 7) and Illinois (April 8). The Gophers’ scheduled doubleheader with Wisconsin-Green Bay on April 11 was also postponed, leaving Minnesota with an eight-game layoff that added energy and fueled the Gophers to victory.\nDespite the losses, Phillips said she was proud of her team.\n“It’s nice to be the coach of a team that never gives up,” Phillips said. “They show a passion in what they do.” \nThe Hoosiers have to pick up the pieces and compete today against the Wisconsin Badgers. Padove said the team has to put the losses behind them.\n“We just have to move on and come with it tomorrow,” she said.