Softball fails to pick up win at Lipton Invitational

The IU softball team went into the weekend planning to play five games in the Lipton Invitational. Due to poor weather conditions, IU’s game against Coastal Carolina Friday was delayed and later cancelled.

The Hoosiers went 0-3-1 over the weekend, bringing the team’s record to 1-12-1 on the season.

Although the Hoosiers were unable to register a win, IU Coach Michelle Gardner said she was pleased with the way the team competed all weekend.

“We are truly competing,” she said. “It took a little bit of time, but I feel that things are finally starting to come together.” 

Friday night, IU played the first of two games against No. 1 Florida. Despite the game being close for seven innings, the Hoosiers lost 3-1.

In the bottom of the first inning, IU senior infielder Breanna Saucedo hit a single to center field, extending her hitting-streak to six games. It also marked the 10th time in eleven games that Saucedo has registered a hit.
In the top of the third inning, the Gators scored the first two runs of the game when junior first baseman Lauren Haeger hit a single to right field, driving in sophomore second baseman Kelsey Stewart.
Haeger would go on to score later in the inning from a double off of the bat from junior outfielder Bailey Castro.
In the next half-inning, the Hoosiers cut the deficit to one run when Saucedo scored on a passed ball.
The Gators responded in the top of the fourth inning by scoring a run after a walk with the bases loaded. Senior third baseman Stephanie Toft scored on the play.
That would be the final run scored of the game.
IU sophomore pitcher Lora Olson held the Gators to four hits and two earned runs. Those were the lowest that Florida has registered in a game this season.
In IU’s second matchup with Florida Saturday, the Gators were victorious in five innings by a score of 8-0.
The Hoosiers were held hitless and the only player to reach base in the game, junior infielder Brianna Meyer, reached on a one-out walk in the first inning and also on an error in the top of the fourth.
In the second game Saturday, IU fell to Georgia Southern 6-2.
IU freshman first baseman CaraMia Tsirigos was responsible for both of the Hoosiers’ runs in the game.
Tsirigos drove in the first run on an RBI single in the second inning and later hit a solo home run in the seventh, which was the first of her career.
Sunday, the Hoosiers tied with Troy University 3-3 when the game was called due to weather conditions after nine innings.
IU freshman outfielder Natalie Lalich hit 4-for-4 on the day, including one RBI. She also scored twice.
Lalich said her performance on Sunday could be attributed to her changed approach when she is at the plate.
“When I go up to bat I’ve learned to relax and to take the pressure off,” she said. “I’m playing like I have my whole life.”
The Hoosiers scored the first run of the game in the second inning when senior infielder Shelby Gogreve singled to left field, which drove in Lalich due to a Troy error in the outfield.
IU scored again in the fourth inning after sophomore catcher Kelsey Dotson drove in Lalich on a fielder’s choice.
After being held scoreless for the first five innings, Troy drove in two runs in the sixth, which led to the game being sent to extra innings.
After both teams failed to score in the seventh, IU scored a run in the top of the eighth inning.
Lalich drove in Saucedo from third base on the play.
Troy scored in the last half-inning to extend the game, but it was ruled a tie due to rain.
Gardner said that, overall, she was satisfied with the team’s performance.
“We played hard,” Gardner said. “I was pretty happy with our performance over the weekend.”