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Softball
Hoosiers invade Sunshine State for weekend series

The IU softball team (6-10) looks to improve its record with easier competition than last weekend in the USF Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater, Fla.

“I want to go into this weekend and get some wins ’cause I think that’s what we need to do at this point,” IU coach Michelle Gardner said.

IU starts off with Boston University (4-8) at noon Friday.

Outfielder April Setterlund leads the Terriers with a .606 batting average and four home runs.

Before Friday is done, the Hoosiers face Jacksonville State (6-8). The Hoosiers lost to the Gamecocks 7-6 in the season opener Feb. 14.

“Jacksonville State should be a tough team, but we always have high expectations for the teams we face,” senior infielder Kristin King said.

The Hoosiers start Saturday off with Saint Joseph (6-5) and end the day with Cleveland State (8-6).

Freshman infielder Amanda Wagner said IU just needs to stay focused to make some noise this weekend.

“I think if we keep making the routine defensive plays and outfielders making catches that will help us win some games,” Wagner said.

The Hoosiers close the weekend with a 10:30 a.m. match against the Maine Black Bears (9-15).

The Showcase should help the Hoosiers grow as a team and help their record as they get deeper in their schedule.

“We need our momentum to stay up, and I saw that the more they have fun the better we do,” Gardner said.

— Aaron Siegal-Eisman

Baseball
IU takes part in Central Florida Invitational

Coming off an impressive weekend at the Music City Classic and a hard-fought game against Louisville on Tuesday, the Hoosiers will head to Florida this weekend for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, which will continue through March 20.

Last time out, the Hoosiers had a 7-5 lead over No. 10 Louisville before surrendering four runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-7. Freshman third baseman Micah Johnson hit 2 home runs, and freshman pitcher Casey Smith pitched five strong innings in his collegiate debut.

With junior pitcher Blake Monar out for the next three weeks, IU coach Tracy Smith will have to continue to be creative in his rotation. Last weekend, Smith got two impressive performances from freshman pitcher Walker Stadler and sophomore pitcher Drew Leininger.

On Saturday, IU (4-7) will play Bowling Green (3-7-1) in Auburndale, Fla. Walker Stadler (1-1, 4.24 ERA) will get the start on the mound.

In the 11-inning loss against Vanderbilt, seven pitchers combined to give the Commodores a close game. Sophomore pitcher Ethan Wilson — who hadn’t thrown since he was 12 years old — started the game with sophomore pitcher Matt Ernest, who is making the switch over from playing football, pitching in relief.

IU could also use junior first baseman Jerrud Sabourin, who pitched three innings in relief against Vanderbilt, on the mound this coming week.

On Sunday, IU will travel to Winter Haven, Fla., to play Central Michigan (4-3). Leininger (1-0, 1.42 ERA) will get the start on the mound.

— Pat Hickey

Men's tennis
Hoosiers test road struggles

Many IU students will be in Florida on vacation during spring break next week, but the IU men’s tennis team will be there on business.

The No. 43 Hoosiers (6-3) will be in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday for a doubleheader with No. 61 Central Florida and Fairleigh Dickinson. IU is 0-3 on the road this season.

After playing and practicing indoors for nearly five months, the Hoosiers will head outdoors. IU coach Randy Bloemendaal said his players generally play better outdoors but he expects a few bumps in the road.

“It always takes time to get used to playing outdoors, especially when you’ve been indoors for as long as we have,” Bloemendaal said. “But it will be a really good experience, and we’re expecting two really good matches. “

With a week away from classes, the team will be focused solely on tennis while in Florida.

Bloemendaal said that helps the team immensely. 

“It makes a big difference,” he said. “That’s why we always try to have a week away before classes start in the second semester. It makes a big difference when the focus is 100 percent on tennis, and I feel like we get a lot of things done as a group when we’re in that sort of situation.”

— Justin Albers