With six weeks of nonconference play under its belt and a winning record to show for it, IU is in the midst of a five-week homestand and will be host to Iowa this weekend to kick off the Big Ten schedule.
IU (17-10) will look to get an early series win against a beatable Iowa (8-16) team on its quest for a Big Ten title.
The Hoosiers can capitalize on a favorable start to their schedule as IU plays each of its first three Big Ten series at home.
“What I really love about our Big Ten schedule is that we get to play our first three series at home,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “That’s going to be big and we have to take advantage of it.”
Gardner also added she likes where the team is at right now — the offense has been on a roll as of late after a tough start to the season. Drawing contributions from nearly every member on the team, IU has scored 24 runs in its last three games.
Sophomore outfielder Rebecca Blitz has continued to maintain her team-leading .361 batting average by recording a hit in seven of her last eight games. Junior infielder Erin Lehman has also stepped up as the clear number-two hitter in the lineup with four multi-hit performances in the last two weeks.
But other Hoosiers have delivered as well, as senior utility player Katelynn Conenna and senior infielder Michelle Huber have been on a tear in the last week. Both entered last weekend’s Hoosier Classic with a sub-.200 batting average.
A four-game hitting streak with starts in each game has seen Huber’s average rise to .245, while Conenna has gone 4-of-7 at the plate to boost her season mark to .286.
Conenna, who also got an assist against Indiana State on Wednesday night while playing left field, credits the team defense for being able to hold opponents to low run totals.
“Our all-around defense this year has been solid, more solid than last year,” Conenna said. “It’s good that our pitchers can have faith in our defense.”
IU’s pitchers have been the key to the team’s successful start, as the three underclassmen arms have combined to post a team ERA of 2.37. Standout freshmen Josie Wood and Tara Trainer will be challenged to maintain their consistency throughout the Big Ten schedule.
Trainer’s 1.85 ERA is good for third among all Big Ten pitchers, while Wood’s 2.52 ERA puts her at 11th in the conference.
Both will be expected to see plenty of innings against Iowa, in addition to redshirt freshman Emily Kirk, who has allowed nine earned runs in 14 innings this year.
Conenna and Gardner both said they think IU’s offense has benefited from playing at home and were optimistic the runs will keep coming.
“I think we’re really ready to get going in the Big Ten,” Conenna said.
