Since it entered the Big Ten, the softball team has been kind of like a fraternity pledge. It has been shown the ropes by the older, more established schools for its first two seasons in the conference. But soon, it will be the Lady Lions' turn to do some hazing of their own.

Purdue has announced that starting with the 1994-95 season, it will field a Big Ten softball team. This season, the Boilermakers will play only an exhibition schedule, with the games not counting against the records of their opponents. Wisconsin has also announced plans to begin play next year, and Illinois has been considering adding the sport.

"Expansion is tremendous for the conference," Ohio State assistant Rich Calvert said. "Hopefully Illinois will come in, and we can have full participation. It's good for women's athletics and it's a great position for softball to be in."

The Lady Lions, who finished last in their first year in the Big Ten and seventh last year, hope to continue to climb the conference ladder.

"We want to finish in the top three -- the top half at least," captain Dana Burns said. "We want to be more competitive than last year, and I really think we can do it. We have a young team, but we have good chemistry."

Although Indiana, Northwestern and Ohio State look like contenders, Iowa and Michigan are expected to duel for the title again this year. Last season, the two teams came down to the wire, with the championship hanging in the balance in the final weekend of play. Iowa needed to take three of four games, but the Wolverines swept the first doubleheader, taking a second straight Big Ten crown.

Iowa may have an inside track because graduation has been far kinder to the Hawkeyes. They return star pitcher Karen Jackson, who had a spectacular 1993 campaign. The second team All-American went 25-12 with a 0.68 ERA, 252 strikeouts and three no-hitters.

Michigan lost 1992 and 1993 conference Player of the Year, Patti Benedict and 1993 Pitcher of the Year, Kelly Forbis. But the Wolverines expect to contend, led from the bench by Big Ten Coach of the Year Carol Hutchins, and on the field by three returning all-conference selections, including Pittsburgh native Kelly Kovach, and Freshman of the Year, Tracy Carr.

And although the Hawkeyes and Wolverines are definitely the favorites, it is not a two-horse race. Big Ten coaches, like Lisa Bernstein of Minnesota, have learned to expect the unexpected and never count a team out.

"When we get down to conference play, things will be shaken up a little," she said. "Whoever stays healthy and gets the best pitching will win."