The second place Buckeyes will put their 5-1 Big Ten record on the line today against the Indiana Hoosiers from Bloomington, Ind.
The Buckeyes are coming off of a pair of 1-0 victories April 4, with a doubleheader sweep of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis. Ohio State (28-6) has won six out of their last seven games and four in a row.
The Hoosiers (5-26) are 1-5 in conference play and lost both games of a doubleheader to No. 8 Northwestern April 4 from Evanston, Ill. IU was outscored in the series 11-1 and only managed six hits.
The one bright spot for the Hoosiers was the performance of sophomore pitcher Sara Olson. Olson pitched game one of the series and allowed two earned runs on six hits. Olson (4-7) has a 2.86 ERA and will be the starter in game one. Sophomore Alyssa Maiese will get the start from the circle in game two.
Considering the Hoosiers’ struggles this season, coach Linda Kalafatis worries the Buckeyes may be looking past today’s games.
“It’s always a coach’s concern. We are certainly trying not to let them take a mental day off,” Kalafatis said.
CAMERON SHARP/THE LANTERNOhio State freshman shortstop Alicia Herron, left, chases down a Ball State baserunner during an April 1 game. OSU swept the doubleheader against the Cardinals.Senior captain Kim Reeder (14-3) has a four-game winning streak and will start game one. Junior Lindsay “Bo” Bodeker (10-3) will start game two for OSU. Bodeker, a drop ball pitcher, has 21 strikeouts over her last two starts.
“Bo has a fantastic changeup, the strikeout pitchers have a great rise ball or a great change up for her it’s a change up,” Kalafatis said.
Sam Marder, finalist for the 2009 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, looks to rebound after a hitless weekend. The junior catcher was 0-4 against the Golden Gophers but recorded four walks. Marder passed Kristine Himes (2002-2003) for the top spot on the all-time walks record at Ohio State with her 42 walk of her career.
Kalafatis expects today’s doubleheader to be a test for the Buckeyes. “In the Big Ten, throw records and numbers out, it’s going to be a battle,” she said.
Ohio State returns home this Saturday for a doubleheader against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The game is also the dedication of New Buckeye Field.
By Evan Winkofsky [email protected]
