Postseason hopes fade for IU after being swept in 4 games

The IU softball team’s hopes of making the postseason took a huge hit this weekend when they dropped a pair of doubleheaders to Big Ten foes Penn State and Ohio State. \nThe matches were opportunities for IU to knock a team like Penn State out of position and propel the Hoosiers into one of the final eight spots needed to qualify for the Big Ten tournament.\nIU softball coach Stacey Phillips was said that even though IU has struggled, the season is still not over.\n“We still have a week left in our season,” Phillips said. “There has been a lot of ups and downs this season. Lots of ups early.”\nPenn State pitcher Ashley Esparza allowed only four hits and struck out 11 as she led the Nittany Lions (23-18, 4-5 in Big Ten) to a victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader. \nIn the second game of the series, walks and home runs were the theme as Penn State defeated IU 14-1. \nThe Hoosiers ran into Big Ten leader Ohio State in the second doubleheader and discovered why the Buckeyes are one of the elite teams in the conference. \nOhio State used strong pitching to sweep the Hoosiers 5-2 in the first game and 9-0 in the second. In Game 1, Ohio State’s Kim Reeder allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of work to get the victory. In Game 2, Buckeye pitcher Jamee Juarez showed no letdown after earning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week accolades. Juarez allowed only one IU hit and walked one batter in shutting out the Hoosiers. It was a day when the Buckeyes’ pitchers were hitting their spots and the Hoosiers were caught fishing.\n“Good pitchers get ahead so they can throw their pitches, not the batters’ pitches,” Phillips said.\nThe Hoosiers hopes of making the Big Ten tournament were all but dashed with the doubleheader sweep. All the Hoosiers can do now is look forward to a pair of games with arch-rival Purdue to end the season. \n“We’ve got nothing to lose right now,” Phillips said. “We’ve got a competitive group of players. You can throw the records out the window when it’s IU and Purdue.”\nThe lone bright spot during the weekend was sophomore Monica Wright’s etching her name into the IU softball record books. Wright entered the top 10 in single-season rankings in both games started (30) and innings pitched (231). She also moved into a tie for fifth with 45 appearances on the season. \n“We were fortunate Monica wanted to be a Hoosier,” Phillips said. “She filled a large void; we really needed her. Her work ethic is one of a true competitor. She has meant a great deal to us.”\nThe Hoosiers travel to West Lafayette to face Purdue on Saturday before wrapping up the season Sunday at home against the Boilermakers.