Hoosier softball aims to keep tournament hopes alive

The IU softball team looks to get back in the win column as they take on Illinois (27-26, 6-8) 4 p.m. Friday at the IU Softball Field. \nDespite their 3-11 conference record, the Hoosiers (13-32, 3-11) still are not out of contention for qualifying for the conference tournament. The Hoosiers are currently in 10th place and just two games back from the eighth and final spot for Big Ten Tournament eligibility. \n“We have talked a lot about it,” IU coach Stacey Phillips said. “When you make goals at the beginning of the year and they are still in reach, you talk about those goals. We still have the ability to make noise.”\nSenior Kari Bettenbrock said Phillips is still optimistic about the outcome of the season.\n“Coach said we are still in the running for the conference tournament and to keep a positive attitude,” Bettenbrock said. “Although things have not gone our way, we have to continue to play IU softball.”\nThe Hoosiers will have a tough matchup to open the weekend when they face the Illini. One player the Hoosiers will have to be aware of is Illinois senior Angelena Mexicano. Mexicano comes into play in the top three of several offensive categories in the conference. She leads the conference in runs scored, home runs and total bases. She is second in RBIs and tied for third in hits.\n“We will definitely be cautious with Mexicano,” Phillips said. “We will not let her beat us. We know one pitch can beat us and that can be heartbreaking.”\nJunior probable starter Monica Wright has similar thoughts on the way to approach Mexicano.\n“We have to stick to the game plan,” Wright said. “We don’t want one player to beat us.”\nAfter two games against the Illini, the Hoosiers take on No. 25 Iowa (33-15, 10-4) in a doubleheader Sunday beginning at noon. The Hawkeyes are currently third in the conference and boast the second-lowest earned run average in the conference at 1.04. The Hawkeyes also have conference co-pitcher of the week and 20-game winner Brittany Weil as a probable starter against the Hoosiers. This is the third weekly honor of the season for Weil and fourth of her career. Weil did not allow an earned run in 20 innings of work last week. She struck out 28 batters in three appearances. Weil currently has 0.98 ERA and is second in the conference with 219 strikeouts. \nBettenbrock has seen more playing time recently for IU, after being used as a pinch hitter last weekend and in Wednesday’s game against Louisville. She admits not playing the whole game and coming in late in the game to hit is difficult.\n“It is hard,” she said. “I usually watch the pitcher, talk to the girls and when I get up to the plate, swing hard.”