Indiana softball rallied from an early deficit and showed its offensive prowess to defeat Loyola University Chicago 14-6 in six innings Tuesday at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington.
The afternoon did not start off well for Indiana. Loyola got off to a hot offensive start, as it opened the game with a solo home run from sophomore infielder Alli Pawlowicz. The Ramblers added to the lead with an RBI via a fielder’s choice from redshirt junior catcher Abbie Gregus. Loyola then tacked on a two-RBI double from junior infielder Nat Lesnicki, extending its lead to 4-0 after two innings.
Indiana got its offense going in the bottom of the third inning. Senior catcher Avery Parker hit an RBI sacrifice fly to center field that brought home junior utility player Aly VanBrandt. Sophomore infielder Josie Bird hit a single into left field for another RBI, and sophomore outfielder Hannah Haberstroh walked home another run to cap off the third inning and cut the Hoosiers’ deficit to one run.
In the fourth inning, a two-run home run deep into left field from VanBrandt gave Indiana a 5-4 lead. Bird then hit an RBI groundout and brought home junior utility player Alex Cooper for another run.
Loyola responded with a two-run fifth inning, which included an RBI double from freshman pitcher/infielder Anna Kiel to tie the game at six.
But Indiana had more offense in store at the bottom of the frame. The Hoosiers started with another VanBrandt home run. The three-run shot into left center gave Indiana the lead back. The Hoosiers continued with an RBI double from Parker and an RBI single from Bird. Haberstroh was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, which brought home Bird to cap the inning. At the end of the frame, the Hoosiers led 12-6.
Finally, in the bottom of the sixth inning, VanBrandt hit her third home run of the game into right field and officially put the game away. Indiana defeated Loyola 14-6 in six.
The Hoosiers were led by VanBrandt’s dominant performance, as she went 4 for 5 from the plate with three home runs and seven RBIs. Cooper also went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored. Parker went 1 for 3 with a double and two RBIs, and Bird went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored.
Although they fell behind the Ramblers early, the Hoosiers recovered thanks to excellent power hitting, intelligent baserunning and some timely pitching from their rotation.
On the mound, sophomore starter Jasmine Reyes pitched 1.1 innings and struck out two Rambler batters but allowed four hits and four earned runs before being replaced by sophomore Ella Troutt. Troutt pitched 3.1 innings and gave up four hits and two earned runs while notching three strikeouts.
Following the victory over Loyola, Indiana will continue its homestand when it plays in its second Big Ten series of the season against Rutgers. The first game is at 6 p.m. Friday at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington, while the second and third games of the series will be at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 12 p.m. Sunday, respectively.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
