In the first Big Ten weekend of the season, IU softball (19-14, 1-1 Big Ten) split two games with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (19-14, 1-1). On Sunday, the Hoosiers won 4-2 due to pitching from senior Morgan Melloh (15-12). Melloh posted 24 strikeouts on the weekend, 12 in each game.
With the victory, Indiana moves to 7-1 at home. Melloh only gave up seven hits on Sunday, the 14th time that Melloh had 10 or more strikeouts in a game.
After the Golden Gophers scored their first two runs in the first inning, they didn’t score the rest of the game. The Fresno State transfer has proven to be a good addition to the squad with an impressive 15-12 record in the early part of the Hoosiers’ season.
Melloh now has 257 strikeouts this season, which is fifth most all-time in IU history.
Offensively, the hitting was strong from the beginning for the Hoosiers. IU scored their first two runs in the first inning and then scored two more runs in each of the next two innings. Senior Sara Olson, who hit two for three with an RBI and scored a run, led the offensive front.
IU softball coach Michelle Gardner discussed the difference between the two game series.
“It was great to see the team respond in a very positive way after a very tough game yesterday,” Gardner said. “We had great leadership from Sara Olson and Morgan Melloh and everyone in the lineup found a way to make the team better today.”
Minnesota’s Sara Moulton (18-9) took the loss for the Golden Gophers, as she gave up three runs in the first two innings.
The Hoosiers are 7-3 over the last 10 games and face the Indiana State Sycamores at home on Wednesday.
Photo credit: Peter Stevenson, IUHoosiers.com
