Hoosiers win series versus Penn State

The IU softball team (19-20, 3-6) went 2-1 during the weekend against Penn State (8-23, 1-7 Big Ten) in its first Big Ten series played at Andy Mohr Field in the 2013 season.

“This weekend was the first series we took (in Big Ten play) and so I think that’s a really good booster for the upcoming weekends,” sophomore infielder Brianna Meyer said.

In the Hoosiers’ first game of the series the team secured a 4-3 win over the Nittany Lions. IU took the early lead, scoring in the first off of an RBI single by sophomore utility player Shannon Cawley to drive in Meyer for the lone run of the inning.

Responding with a three-run third inning, Penn State took the lead 3-1 heading into the bottom of the third.

The Hoosiers cut the deficit to one in their half of the inning with a run by senior infielder Amanda Wagner. Both teams went scoreless for the next two innings, until the sixth inning, where the Hoosiers plated two runs to take the lead and hold on for the win.

The Hoosiers dropped the second game of the weekend 3-0 for their first home loss of the season.

IU’s scoreless game was the first time in 12 seasons the Hoosiers failed to drive in a run against Penn State. Freshman catcher and first baseman Kassi Farmer led the IU offense with two hits.

The Hoosiers claimed the final win of the weekend 4-3, giving the team its first Big Ten series win at Andy Mohr Field.

The Nittany Lions struck first in the matchup, scoring two runs in the top of the third with a home run by senior infielder Lauren Yao.

IU responded in the bottom of the fourth with a double to left-center by Wagner that drove in senior outfielder Kelsey Brannon and freshman catcher and third baseman Kelsey Dotson to tie the game at 2-2.

“I think for (Wagner) just to calm down and not be overwhelmed with the moment but stick with her game plan, which was drive the ball, I thought it was huge for us right there,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said.

A single by freshman infielder Michelle Huber drove in two runs by Wagner and Meyer to give the Hoosiers the 4-2 lead. Penn State responded with a home run in the top of the seventh, but the Hoosiers were able to hold on to their lead and secure the win.

“Huber’s been a hot bat for me off the bench, so I thought that was a great time to put her in, and obviously it paid off,” Gardner said.

The Hoosiers return to action on Friday to take on Purdue at home.

“I think we’ve got some things that we need to continue to work on, as does anyone,” Gardner said. “But to me, right now, we’re going to need to take this one day at a time, one game at a time.”