With the final game of the homestand, IU softball has a chance to prove its sweep of No. 18 Ohio State wasn’t a fluke.
The Hoosiers will take on Western Kentucky on Tuesday night at Andy Mohr Field.
“It’s one game at a time, one pitch at a time,” IU Coach Shonda Stanton said. “I felt like we were up this weekend and whether we’re playing Ohio State in conference or Western Kentucky out of conference, we’re playing with a little yellow ball.”
WKU holds a 3-1 advantage in the series. The teams last met in 2006 and the Hilltoppers won 4-3.
On the season, WKU is 19-11, but has lost five of the past seven games. IU will only be the second power five conference team WKU has faced thus far. The two teams have each played a series with Green Bay. WKU won both games while IU split the pair.
The Hilltoppers are a solid offensive team. They lead Conference USA in scoring, doubles per game, triples per game and RBIs. Sophomore catcher Paige Carter leads WKU with a .376 batting average, 32 hits, 28 RBI and 18 runs scored. The Hoosiers will look to follow up on last weekend's Big Ten opening sweep
Before continuing Big Ten play this weekend on the road at Michigan State, the Hilltoppers provide IU with a great opportunity to pick up a solid nonconference win.
“We have to go out there and work ahead of the count, throw strikes,” Stanton said. “We have to be aggressive at the plate and want the next 60 feet. If you do that and take care of the ball, it makes for a fun day at the ballyard."
Phillip Steinmetz
