Indiana’s batting order took a little bit to get going but did enough to secure a 6-3 victory over Indiana University Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Like their game against Loyola University Chicago on March 10, the Hoosiers fell behind early to the Jaguars. Indiana found itself in a 2-1 hole through the first two innings and stranded four baserunners through the first two frames.
However, starting in the bottom of the third inning, the Hoosiers’ hitters gradually began to get going. Sophomore infielder Madalyn Strader connected on an RBI single to tie the game at two. Next, senior outfielder Ellie Goins stepped into the batter’s box and hit an RBI double to give the Hoosiers a 3-2 lead.
To cap off the frame, sophomore utility player Alli Gavin sent a two-run home run deep into left field to extend Indiana’s lead to 5-2.
In the top of the fourth inning, IU Indy sophomore utility player Pallas Dominion stole home plate to cut the Jaguars’ deficit to 5-3, but IU Indy didn’t score again for the rest of the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Indiana junior utility player Aly VanBrandt was caught stealing at second base, but that allowed freshman outfielder Nevaeh Nash to score another run. Indiana sophomore pitcher Ella Troutt shut down the Jaguars’ offense during the top of the seventh inning, and the Hoosiers took home the win.
Gavin’s two-run home run shifted the momentum of the game, as the Hoosiers took the lead and never looked back. Gavin was the best offensive performer overall for Indiana, as she went 2 for 2 with two RBIs. Senior catcher Avery Parker went 2 for 3 with a double, and Goins went 1 for 3 with one RBI.
Indiana registered eight hits in the game, and although the Hoosiers committed three errors, they did not let those miscues come back to bite them. Indiana limited IU Indy’s offense to just four total hits all game long. The Jaguars only managed two hits for the rest of the contest following the first inning.
Starting freshman pitcher Aubree Hooks couldn‘t get through the first inning, as she gave up two hits and one earned run before she was replaced by junior pitcher Brooke Mannon in the top of the first. Mannon provided steady pitching on the mound for the Hoosiers, as she lasted 5.1 innings and took home the win. She only gave up one hit and no earned runs while striking out five Jaguar batters.
Troutt entered the game in the top of the sixth inning and closed the door on IU Indy in the top of the seventh. She pitched 1.2 innings and gave up no earned runs and just one hit.
Following the victory over IU Indy, Indiana will be back in action when it travels to face Maryland in its third Big Ten series of the season. The first game is at 6 p.m. Friday at Maryland Softball Stadium in College Park, Maryland, while the second and third games of the series will be at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 12 p.m. Sunday respectively. The games will be streamed on Big Ten +.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
