For the first time this season, IU softball will have a target on its back.
After sweeping No. 18 Ohio State last weekend, the Hoosiers are in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
Due to inclement weather, IU cancelled the Western Kentucky matchup that was scheduled for Tuesday night. Now, the Hoosiers will look to extend their four-game winning streak on the road at Michigan State this weekend.
“We’ve got to keep working and keep building off it,” IU Coach Shonda Stanton said. “You want to start fast, work hard in the middle and finish strong. Anytime you sweep a team, you have to feel good about that, especially a team the caliber of Ohio State. It gives you confidence.”
The reason IU found so much success against the Buckeyes was due in part to the performances of junior pitcher Tara Trainer and freshman catcher Maddie Westmoreland. Trainer was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and Westmoreland earned Big Ten Freshman and Player of the week. It’s the first time since 1995 IU swept each weekly award.
The Hoosiers will ride the momentum they found in the past two weeks against the Spartans. Michigan State sits at 12-15 and went 1-2 against Nebraska last weekend to open Big Ten play. Even though they lost the first two games, the Spartans battled back to close out the series with a 9-1 victory.
They’ve already played 27 games on the road to this point.
“I think we just need to come out hard, and if something happens, we can’t let that affect us,” Trainer said.
After a seven-game winning streak in February, Michigan State has lost nine of the past 12 games, and all four losses were against ranked opponents.
The Spartans have solid batting throughout their lineup with five players hitting at an average of at least .300. Senior shortstop McKenzie Long leads the team with a .347 BA and 26 hits. Michigan State sits right behind IU with a .325 team BA in Big Ten play.
A pair of seniors carries the load for Michigan State in the circle. Kristina Zalewski and Bridgette Rainey have started all but five games and combine for 130 strikeouts.
“Michigan State is a good ball club,” Stanton said. “They’ll be well-prepared and well-coached. Winners always adjust, and it’s about controlling the controllable and taking care of the things we can take care of.”
This weekend gives IU the chance to get some revenge. Last season, Michigan State took all three matchups with the Hoosier including an 8-7 victory in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Yet IU holds a 65-58 advantage in the all-time series.
There’s now a feeling of excitement around the IU program after the impressive start to Big Ten play. If the Hoosiers can play as well as they did last weekend, there will be more conference wins on the horizon.
“It’s just one weekend of play — we haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Stanton said. “It’s about never being satisfied, continue to stay aggressive and going after what we want. That’s what we want them to have — that mentality that every single pitch matters.”
