Softball splits home games with MSU

With the Big Ten Network in place to broadcast a mid-week conference doubleheader, the IU softball team (11-27-1, 3-8) took the field on a 62-degree afternoon to face off against the Michigan State Spartans (9-25, 2-9).

Michigan State won the first game, but IU responded with a strong performance in game two to split the series.

The Hoosiers made a late comeback effort, but the Hoosiers ultimately fell to Michigan State in game one 5-3.

Despite the loss, IU Coach Michelle Gardner said she was happy with the team’s
performance.

“We only gave up three earned runs,” Gardner said. “When you give up three earned runs, you should win the game. We were hitting well and battling, but we made some costly errors.”

After IU sophomore pitcher Brooke Boetjer retired the first two batters of the game, the Michigan State offense came to life.

Spartans freshman third baseman Sarah Gutknecht started the rally, sending the seventh pitch of the at-bat off of the right field wall for a double.

In the next at-bat, left fielder Kassidy Kujawa hit a double to right field to drive in the first run of the game.

Right fielder Stephanie Sanders stepped up to the plate and hit a ground ball down the left field line to drive in Kujawa, the second run of the inning. All three hitters reached base while facing 2-2 counts.

After two Spartan runs to begin the game, both offenses failed to drive in a run until the bottom of the third frame.

On the first at-bat of the inning, IU freshman second baseman Erin Lehman took first base after getting hit by a pitch.

Lehman advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman outfielder Kayla Mathewson, followed by a shot by IU junior center fielder Brianna Meyer over Gutknecht’s outstretched glove.

Lehman scored, and Meyer legged out a triple on the play.

IU struck again with an out in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Sophomore catcher Kassi Farmer hit a single up the middle, followed by a sacrifice bunt from senior third baseman Shelby Gogreve to advance Farmer to second.

Sophomore designated player Michelle Huber stepped up to bat with two outs and a runner in scoring position.

She hit a double to left field, driving in Farmer to tie the game at two.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Michigan State regained the lead.

Spartans outfielder Ellie Stoffer hit a ground ball just past Lehman’s outstretched glove to drive in catcher Lindsey Besson.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, a walk sent in the third run of the game for IU.

IU sophomore catcher Kelsey Dotson stepped up to bat. Dotson, who hit a walk-off grand slam against Ohio State, couldn’t repeat the late-game heroics and struck out to end the game.

After the first game, Gardner wanted to make some changes. She moved Huber from seventh in the lineup to fourth.

Huber went 1-for-4 in her new spot, including a key RBI in the second
inning.

The Hoosiers won the second game 7-3 behind a 13-strikeout effort from senior pitcher Meaghan Murphy.

Murphy’s 13 strikeouts were the most by an IU player since the 2011 season.

“It feels good,” she said. “I’m just sticking to my game plan. Sticking to the corners, moving the ball up and down and side to side. It feels good.”

Gardner said she was happy to see Murphy playing so well.

“She was dominant tonight,” Gardner said. “Thirteen strikeouts is huge, no matter who you’re playing. She did exactly what I knew she could do. I was thrilled for her.”

The IU offense started early, scoring five runs in the first two innings.

With Meyer on first base, senior left fielder Jenna Abraham stepped up to the plate.

Facing a full count, Abraham hit a two-run shot to left field for third home run of the year.

“I’m relaxed and doing what I do,” Abraham said. “If the ball is there, I’m swinging at it. She threw me a high pitch, so I swung.”

After Murphy held Michigan State hitless for the second straight inning, IU extended the lead to five runs.

With one out and runners on second and third, IU senior shortstop Breanna Saucedo drove in two with a single to right field.

After Saucedo earned her 13th steal of the season and Abraham was walked, Huber hit her second RBI of the day. Her double to left field drove in Saucedo.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Hoosiers went deep again.

With Farmer on first, Dotson hit a shot to left field. It was her third home run of the season and first since her grand slam against Ohio State.

Michigan State put its only three runs of the game on the board in the top of the sixth, highlighted by a two-run home run from right fielder Stephanie Sanders.

IU will look to build on its game two win with a three-game series against Penn State this weekend.

“The team is coming together,” Murphy said. “We are putting everything together. Hitting, pitching and defense. We are peaking at the right time.”