The Indiana State softball team stays at Price Field for a three-game series with conference foe Northern Iowa this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27 at Noon and 2 p.m. (ET). The series finale is set for Sunday, March 28 at Noon. ISU is 11-10 (0-2 MVC) on the year after a doubleheader with Butler on Wednesday, and the Sycamores search for their first league win against the Panthers.
In last weekend's MVC opener at CU, junior Stephanie Jonson and sophomore Bailey Wittenauer both smashed a homerun apiece in the Sycamores' MVC opening series, marking ISU's season-best team total so far. Jonson tallied four hits and batted .400 over four games last week in doubleheaders with the Bluejays and earlier with SEMO in a mid-week matchup. Against the Redhawks, she had two hits and three RBI, while her homer at Creighton was her first of the season and the second of her career. Jonson was also a perfect 2-for-2 on the basepaths for the week.
Sophomores Alyssa Doyle and Bailey Wittenauer lead ISU at the plate, with each hitting .333. Wittenauer has a pair of homeruns, seven doubles and 17 RBI to her credit, all of which lead the Sycamores. Doyle also has three doubles and two triples and has drawn a team-high nine walks as the leadoff hitter. Senior pitcher Meagan McCurdy tops the pitching staff with a 5-6 record, a 1.12 earned-run average and 78 strikeouts.
Scouting the Competition: Northern Iowa Panthers
Northern Iowa is 13-11 (1-0 MVC) entering Saturday's doubleheader at Indiana State, having last seen the field on March 19 in a 5-3 win at Wichita State. After one conference-opening victory over the Shockers, the remainder of the series in Wichita was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The Panthers have a team total of 25 homeruns over 24 games, with Eranne Daugharthy (seven) and Courtney Dunker (six) leading the way. Jen Larsen is the squad's leading hitter with a .412 average with four doubles and a pair of homers. In the circle, Larsen is 8-2 with a 2.90 ERA and four shutouts to her credit.
In 2009, UNI compiled a record of 34-22 and was chosen third in this year's MVC preseason poll. The Panthers have opened 2010 with a 12-11 non-conference record and reeled off five straight wins from Feb. 14 to Feb. 20, including four at the Austin Peay Tournament. In that span, UNI outscored its opponents 42-5.
Head coach Ryan Jacobs is in his third season at the helm of the UNI program and has a career record of 67-71.
McCurdy Ranks With Valley's Elite in the Circle
Senior Meagan McCurdy currently ranks fifth on the MVC's individual chart for earned-run average with a 1.12 ERA. She is 5-6 on the season with one save over 13 appearances, throwing 75.0 innings.
Additionally, McCurdy has 78 strikeouts this year, good for sixth in the league. She is third all-time in school history with 317 Ks over the last three-plus seasons, just ahead of Emily Germer (294) who played from 2001 to 2004. McCurdy's next target on the ISU strikeout list is Debbie Styx (1988-92), who totaled 362 over her career.
Wittenauer's Bat Key for Sycamores
Bailey Wittenauer has come on strong at the plate for Indiana State lately, as she ranks third in the Valley with seven doubles and eighth in RBI with 17, both of which lead the team. The Lewisville, Texas, native is one of only two Sycamores with 20 or more hits, joining fellow sophomore Alyssa Doyle (21).
McCurdy Named MVC Pitcher of the Week
Meagan McCurdy was named MVC Pitcher of the Week for games of Feb. 23-28, the conference office announced on March 1. The senior made four appearances at the Tennessee State Tiger Classic, going 2-0 with a save in 18.2 innings of work. McCurdy averaged just one walk per game and struck out 21 batters, holding her opponents to a .211 batting average and three extra-base hits. For the weekend, she threw two complete-game victories and had a 0.38 earned-run average.
ISU's 8-0 Win Streak Ties Best of Coldren Era
Indiana State's eight straight wins from Feb. 27 to March 8 tied the longest streak of head coach Brenda Coldren's career since going on an 8-0 run midseason in 2008. In the span earlier this season, the Sycamores outscored their opponents 51-16.
Longest Win Streaks in the Coldren Era
Win Streak Year(s)
8-0 2 times: 2010, 2009
5-0 2006
4-0 5 times: 2009 (twice), 2007, 2006, 2004
3-0 6 times: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 (twice), 2003
Sycamores Selected for All-Tournament Honors
Four Indiana State players were selected to the Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team, as the Sycamores posted a 4-0 record. Meagan McCurdy, Alyssa Doyle, Bailey Wittenauer and Stephanie Jonson all represented ISU with the honors, the most of any squad at the tournament.
McCurdy also opened the season by being named to the Memphis Blues City Classic All-Tournament Team after going 1-1 in two appearances as a starter with a 0.54 ERA. Over 13.0 innings of work, McCurdy gave up just nine hits and struck out 12, holding her opponents to a .176 batting average.
ISU Schedule Features Four Postseason Teams
ISU's schedule for the 2010 season will serve as a challenge for the Sycamores in preparation for postseason competition in May. The slate includes games with four postseason-qualifying teams from last season -- Sacred Heart, Lehigh, Illinois and Bradley.
Lehigh was the farthest-advancing of the four squads, knocking off Texas A&M and Florida A&M before it faced top-seeded Florida in the final of the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
At the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., the Sycamores posted a 1-0 victory against Sacred Heart and a 4-0 win over Lehigh, making ISU 2-0 over NCAA Tournament qualifiers this season. Indiana State takes on Illinois in Champaign next Wednesday.
Coldren Inks Two for Class of 2010
Head coach Brenda Coldren announced in the offseason that two student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join Indiana State in 2010-11: Danielle Ketner and Shelby Wilson.
Ketner is a two-time All-MIC selection at North Vigo High School for Coach Jack Kirchner. A three-year varsity starter and the Patriots' third baseman, she earned all-conference honors as a sophomore and junior, as well as All-Wabash Valley standing both seasons. In her senior season, Ketner batted .394 with 14 RBI, seven doubles, three triples and a homerun. Additionally, Ketner has lettered three years in basketball.
Wilson is a utility player hailing from Whiteland, Ind., who plays as a shortstop, third baseman, catcher and outfielder. Wilson has lettered at Whiteland High School for Coach Dana Griffin, and her club squad is Team Indiana. As a sophomore, Wilson posted a .429 batting average, followed by a junior season that saw her hit .374 with six doubles. She earned All-South honors from the Indianapolis Star in 2008, and in her senior year, batted .316 with a .418 slugging percentage.
Up Next for the Sycamores...
Indiana State stays at Price Field for an in-state matchup with Indiana on Tuesday, March 30 at 4 p.m. (ET).
