After a break from Big Ten action earlier this week, IU softball will look to stay within the top three of the Big Ten standings this weekend.
The Hoosiers will travel to Maryland to play in their second road conference series. IU sits in second place in the conference standings and are one game behind No. 16 Michigan for the top spot.
Maryland comes into this weekend at 15-23 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten. The Terrapins started conference play 5-1 but were swept by Illinois last weekend after being outscored 38-3, losing two of the games in five innings.
“I think we can exploit some things with them at the plate,” IU Coach Shonda Stanton said.
Senior infielder Skylynne Ellazer leads the Terrapins with a .352 batting average, 38 hits and four home runs. She’s also the only player on the team that’s batting over .300 on the season.
Freshman Ryan Denhart and junior Sydney Golden carry the load in the circle for Maryland. Denhart is the top option with a 3.09 ERA and 68 strikeouts. Golden isn’t far behind with a 4.19 ERA and 47 strikeouts.
Big Ten play has been where IU has thrived the most. After sweeping Michigan State on the road this season, the Hoosiers hope to find the same result this weekend against Maryland.
“It’s got to be about getting the barrel on ball and attack, putting the pedal down and just go,” Stanton said. “We do that and take care of the ball, we’re going to see some good things.”
Phillip Steinmetz
