Indiana win streak reaches 10 games following weekend sweep at Michigan State
April 24, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Hoosiers (30-15, 10-2 Big Ten) continued to swing the bats well and the steady pitching of Morgan Melloh all added up to a 4-2 win at Michigan State (21-20, 3-9 Big Ten) on Sunday to extend to a 10-game win streak, the longest such streak since 1994. Melloh went the distance in the circle and laced a two-run double to provide the eventual winning runs.
"We have been doing a great job at the plate and in the circle, which has put us in position to come out with these wins," Indiana head coach Michelle Gardner said. "We know that we still have some things to work on but if we keep doing what we are doing, things will take care of themselves as we move forward."
In addition to the 10 wins in a row overall, the Hoosiers have also won nine straight Big Ten games, also the longest streak since 1994 when the team started the season 10-0.
In the top of the second inning, freshman Jenna Abraham and Cassie Gogreve hit solo home runs to put the Hoosiers out in front early. For Abraham it was her second home run of the season and for Gogreve it was her fourth.
The third inning saw Ashley Warrum collect the first of her two hits and Sara Olson and Amanda Wagner followed with walks to load the bases for Melloh. The senior laced a double down the right field line to plate a pair of runs to increase the Indiana lead to 4-1.
Michigan State scored its first run in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run by catcher Brett Williams. Then in the fifth inning, an RBI single from Ali Grant cut the Indiana lead to 4-2.
Melloh (25-14) picked up another victory for the Hoosiers, allowing two runs on six hits, one walk and 11 strikeouts. The left-handed pitcher now has 397 on the year, the sixth-most ever by a Big Ten pitcher. She also has 141 strikeouts in Big Ten play, the fifth-most in a single season in Big Ten play ever by a pitcher.
MSU starting pitcher Lauren Kramer (8-4) took the loss for the Spartans, giving up four runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout. Cassee Layne came on in relief and did not allow a hit while striking out one.
With Michigan earning a split of its series against Iowa this weekend, Indiana is now tied for first place in the Big Ten with identical 10-2 records. The 30 wins on the year is the most since the 2006 season (30-25-1).
The Hoosiers will be on the road once again this week, traveling to Illinois for a doubleheader on Wednesday with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET. Both games of the doubleheader are scheduled to be broadcast LIVE on the Big Ten Network (check local listings).
