Following a 4-1 performance at the Paradise Classic on Feb. 5-7, Indiana softball had a generally impressive offensive performance with eight home runs over its five games at the Littlewood Invitational in Tempe, Arizona.
However, it came up short in games against Arizona State University and the University of Nevada, Reno, leading to a 3-2 showing at the invitational.
The Hoosiers started the invitational hot against Portland State University. Indiana had no trouble dispatching the Vikings, winning its first game in five innings by a score of 23-0.
From there, Indiana faced a stiffer test in then-No. 22 Arizona State University. The Hoosiers managed to put up six runs on five hits, and senior outfielder Ellie Goins and senior catcher Avery Parker both hit home runs.
However, Indiana could not overcome a three-run home run from Arizona State junior catcher Emily Schepp. Despite Parker’s home run in the top of the seventh inning, the Hoosiers fell to the Sun Devils 7-6.
Indiana managed to recover from its defeat in the next game, as the Hoosiers dominated Pacific University. Indiana started off strong, as Parker launched a home run in the first inning and drove in two RBIs. The Hoosiers never looked back from there on the way to an 8-0 win over the Boxers.
The last two games of the invitational for Indiana were against Nevada. In the first of the two games, Indiana beat the Wolf Pack rather comfortably in a 6-3 victory. Parker continued her hot start to the season by hitting another home run deep into the right field, driving in three RBIs. Indiana soon extended the lead to 5-0 after junior utility player Brooke Mannon stole home plate. Indiana rode its early momentum to a 6-3 win over Nevada in the first game. However, in the second game against the Wolf Pack, it was a different story.
The Hoosiers’ offense struggled throughout the contest, only putting two runs on the board and racking up just four hits all game. Nevada had seven hits and put up four runs, and the Wolf Pack did just enough to stay one step ahead of Indiana throughout the game.
Goins hit her second home run of the tournament in the second game against Nevada, and junior utility player Aly VanBrandt notched a double. But that was the most the Indiana offense could muster against the Wolf Pack, as Nevada senior infielder Haylee Engelbrecht and senior first baseman Hannah Di Genova each hit home runs to put two on the board for the Wolf Pack.
Indiana could not overcome the timely hits from Nevada and its own poor offensive performance, as the Hoosiers fell 4-2 to the Wolf Pack to end their weekend at the Littlewood Invitational with a record of 3-2, moving their season record to 7-3.
Indiana is likely looking for a little more consistency from its batting order, especially considering that it put up eight runs or more in four of the five games in the Paradise Classic, but only hit that mark twice in the Littlewood Invitational.
Following the invitational, Indiana will look to get back on track as it prepares for the University of South Florida Tournament.
The Hoosiers’ first game in the USF Tournament will come against Colgate University at 9 a.m. Feb. 20 at the USF Softball Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Indiana will also play Saint Joseph’s University, Marist University and Boston College. The Cream and Crimson will wrap up the USF Tournament with a matchup against the University of South Florida at 1:05 p.m. Feb. 23.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
