Penn State visits IU this weekend for a three game series to wrap up a one-month stretch in which the Hoosiers played 17 of 19 games at home.
The Nittany Lions (17-16, 6-2 in the Big Ten) will come to Andy Mohr Field after losing both games of a doubleheader Wednesday at Ohio State.
IU (21-14, 4-4) also played a doubleheader this week and split a pair of games at Purdue. Both Penn State and IU sit in the top half of the standings, which gives both teams a chance to pick up valuable games from one another.
The Hoosiers won a tight 1-0 pitchers’ duel on the back of freshman pitcher Tara Trainer in the first game against Purdue. They led 2-0 in the second game before giving up six unanswered runs and losing 6-4 thanks to an unfortunate combination of hits, walks and errors.
“We put ourselves in a tough position in the second game,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said. “I don’t feel like they won that game. I feel like we gave it away.”
Penn State brings six hitters with averages above .300 and two who rank top 10 in the Big Ten. Senior Macy Jones is batting .396 and junior Shelby Miller has a .394 mark.
The Nittany Lions have a large stable of arms that could see time in the circle this weekend, with six different starting pitchers used this season. All six have experience as both starters and relievers this year.
IU’s offense will try to get back on track after scoring only 14 runs in the past five games. The Hoosiers did see a slight return of their power against the Boilermakers with two two-run homers that provided the scoring for IU in the second game.
Sophomore outfielder Rebecca Blitz and junior utility player Erin Lehman will lead the way as the only two Hoosiers with batting averages above .300, but neither registered a hit in the doubleheader against Purdue.
Senior outfielder Shannon Cawley has been the most consistent offensive producer of late, stepping into the cleanup spot in the order and currently has a seven-game hitting streak. The streak has raised her season average from .187 to .247.
Freshmen pitcher Josie Wood and Trainer will likely share the starts in the circle during the series just like the two did against Purdue.
The first pitch of Friday’s series opener will be at 6 p.m., with Saturday’s game starting at 1 p.m. and Sunday’s finale at 11 a.m.
Gardner said it will be very important for the Hoosiers to win the series this weekend, particularly given that their next two series will be on the road.
“We’re going to have to come out of the blocks and be ready to play right away,” Gardner said. “It’ll be important to get runs on the board early.”
