Hoosiers Sweep Saint Louis - Indiana University Official Athletic Site Sports
Hoosiers Sweep Saint Louis
Hoosiers Sweep Saint Louis At Hoosier Invitational
Bloomington, Ind.Powered by 16 runs and 22 hits, the Indiana softball team defeated Saint Louis, 6-4 in game one, and 10-0, in five innings in game two, on the final day of the Hoosier Invitational on Sunday afternoon. Indiana moved to 19-16 on the season. The Hoosiers were led by catcher Tory Yamaguchi, who was 5-for-6, including a home run with three runs scored and two RBI. Pitcher and outfielder Mariangee Bogado was 4-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored, while designated player Lauren Hines was 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI.
The Hoosier pitching staff, including Bogado, Megan Roark and Heather Stillians, combined for 11 strikeouts in 12 innings of work, while giving up just five hits and one walk.
In game one, the Bills gave the Hoosiers a scare when they took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a three-run home run by catcher Ashleigh Williams.
Indiana rebounded in the bottom of the third when it scored six runs on five hits and one Saint Louis error. Bogado started the scoring frenzy with an RBI single to center that scored shortstop Kim Richards who had singled earlier in the inning. Saint Louis then walked in a run, followed by a pair of RBI singles by first baseman Abby Stark and right fielder Val White to score four more runs and increase the Hoosier lead to 6-4.
Saint Louis tried to rally in the top of the fifth with a run of their own when right fielder Melissa Quist scored on a Hoosier error, but it was not enough to beat Indiana.
The Hoosiers' strong hitting continued in the second game when they scored three runs on four hits and a Saint Louis error in the first inning alone. Second baseman Ashley Griffiths and Richards started the inning with back-to-back doubles, followed by RBI singles by Yamaguchi and Bogado.
The Cream and Crimson scored four more runs on four hits and one error in the second. The inning was highlighted by a two-run homerun by Hines, her fourth shot of the season. Bogado also had another RBI single in the inning, scoring Yamaguchi who walked to reach base.
With two outs, the Hoosiers scored three more runs in the bottom of the third. Griffiths hit a two-run homerun to center followed by a solo shot to left by Yamaguchi to put the Hoosiers up, 10-0, and end the game in five innings.
With more than half the season remaining, the Hoosiers have won 19 games, the same number of games they won throughout the entire 2003 season.
In other tournament action, Notre Dame defeated Western Kentucky, 2-1 in the first game of the day. The two teams decided not to play the championship game. Tournament seeding determined Notre Dame to be the overall champion at the Hoosier Invitational.
Up next, the Hoosiers travel to Illinois-Chicago for doubleheader action on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Indiana opens Big Ten Conference play next weekend, April 2-3 against No. 11 Michigan. Game times are set for 3 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Saturday.