IU hopes win streak will grow at Iowa

Heading into this weekend’s series against the Iowa Hawkeyes, the IU softball team is coming off of a doubleheader win against Ball State.

“Going into any game with a win helps,” senior shortstop Emily Bergeson said.

Also on the Hoosiers’ side is the fact that they beat Iowa twice last year as the underdog.

This year, the Hawkeyes are fourth in the Big Ten and are ranked No. 24 in the country.

The Hawkeyes’ success can be attributed to their starting pitching. With a team ERA of 1.34, high-scoring games are not the norm for this team.

Hurlers Brittany Weil and Amanda Zust are the only two Hawkeyes who have pitched this year. However, both have ERAs less than two and have shown no signs of fatigue.

Just making contact will be crucial for the Hoosiers against Weil, who has struck out 269 hitters in her 189.2 innings of work. But if the Hoosiers can hit like they did in the second game of the Ball State doubleheader, anything can happen.

Bergeson has been the catalyst for the Hoosier offense, going 7 for 9 with a home run and six RBI in her last three games. The senior has stepped up her production with the recent absence of sophomore catcher Brittany Stein.

The Hoosiers will likely be pitching both senior Ashley Hobbs and sophomore Sara Olson in the weekend set.

– By Connor O’Gara