While IU made good on its goal of improving its hitting this weekend, its inconsistent pitching was costly.
The Hoosiers went 0-4 at the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas, allowing 36 runs in the four games combined. Two of those defeats came due to the NCAA’s run rule, as IU trailed by eight runs past the midway point of the game.
Only Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Texas wasn’t the result of poor pitching. Sophomore pitcher Tara Trainer threw a complete game and struck out seven Longhorns.
“Tara threw extremely well in the opener, good enough to win,” IU Coach Michelle Gardner said.
However, Trainer threw 119 pitches in the loss. The combination of Trainer’s high pitch count and an injury to sophomore pitcher Emily Kirk meant Gardner turned to freshman pitchers Jessica Conenna and Emily Goodin for innings.
“I definitely thought there were some effects of fatigue for Tara after the game,” Gardner said. “I didn’t want to overthrow her this weekend.”
Goodin started Friday against Louisiana Tech, but failed to record an out before being replaced by Conenna, who was later replaced by Goodin. IU failed to capitalize on a three-hit performance by junior outfielder Rebecca Blitz in an 8-0 loss to Louisiana Tech in six innings.
It appeared that IU’s offensive struggles would continue throughout the weekend, but fortunes changed after Gardner altered the batting order. Freshman utility player Katie Lacefield was moved to the top half and senior utility player Erin Lehman was moved to the middle.
Additionally, Gardner changed the positions of IU coaches. For the tournament’s final two games, Gardner placed assistant coaches Mike Perniciaro and Amanda Wagner on the baselines while IU batted.
“Usually during the preseason Mike’s calling third, so I went back to that just to get everyone a bit more comfortable,” Gardner said. “The change helped us score more runs and I like being in the dugout because it gives me another chance to talk to our players.”
IU averaged six runs per game after the changes were made.
“As far as the hitting goes, it’s coming. We’re getting there,” Gardner said. “We had some timely hitting in the top part of our lineup, but it’s up to the bottom part to pick up some slack.”
Still, the pitching issues persisted.
Trainer and Goodin each lasted only one and two thirds innings Friday night, combining to allow 10 runs in IU’s 13-5 loss to South Carolina in five innings.
The second game against Texas on Saturday perhaps best summarized IU’s time in Austin.
After IU raced out to a 6-0 lead in the second, largely due to a three-run home run by senior infielder CaraMia Tsirigos, it was outscored 13-1 the remainder of the game. Trainer, Goodin and Conenna all pitched in the game.
“We scored six runs, then suddenly the strike zone was the size of a peanut,” Gardner said.
The three-hour game against the Longhorns meant the Hoosiers cancelled their final game of the tournament to accommodate their travel schedule.
With a month to go until the home opener as part of the Hoosier Classic, Gardner said she’s trying to keep her team calm in all situations.
“If the strike zone is small, you have to throw to it,” Gardner said. “If we have to throw it over the middle of the plate, then of course they’re going to hit it.”
