Indiana softball rode its dynamic offense, particularly the play of senior catcher Avery Parker, to a 2-1 series win over Michigan over the weekend in Ann Arbor.
Though Friday’s game initially looked like it would be a low-scoring pitcher’s duel, Indiana jumped out in front in the three-game set by securing the 8-4 win.
Momentum started on the Wolverines’ side, as Michigan sophomore utility player Lauren Putz hit an RBI double down the right field line to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
But Indiana struck back, and Parker started what would become an excellent weekend with a home run down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Junior utility player Alex Cooper hit a home run into right field in the top of the fifth inning to give the Hoosiers a 2-1 lead.
Michigan tied up the game again in the bottom of the fifth inning, thanks to a home run from senior infielder Madi Ramey. Putz then hit a home run deep into center field to give the Wolverines a 4-2 lead later in the frame.
Michigan didn’t score again, but Indiana exploded in the top of the sixth inning. The Hoosiers scored five runs during the frame, including a two-run home run from sophomore infielder Madalyn Strader. Junior utility player Aly VanBrandt hit a two-RBI double and Cooper hit an RBI single to extend Indiana’s lead to 7-4.
Finally, sophomore infielder Josie Bird put the finishing touches on the win with a home run into left-center field in the top of the seventh inning to reach the final score of 8-4.
In Saturday’s game, Indiana’s offense was once again explosive but was ultimately outdueled by Michigan’s. The Hoosiers started the scoring in the opening frame with an RBI single from Strader that brought home Parker. Bird advanced to third on the hit and came home on a Wolverines error to give Indiana an early 2-0 advantage.
The Wolverines quickly tied the game in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly from Ramey and an RBI single from senior infielder Janelle Ilacqua. Senior outfielder Ellie Goins hit an RBI single to center field in the top of the third inning to take the lead back for Indiana.
Michigan tied the game again in the third inning and subsequently took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a solo home run from Ramey. However, in the top of the fifth inning, Strader hit a two-RBI double that brought home Parker and Cooper.
In the bottom half of the frame, redshirt junior catcher Lilly Vallimont hit a two-run home run into right field to give the Wolverines a 6-5 lead.
Cooper hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game once again, but Michigan broke the tie in the bottom of the frame thanks to a three-RBI double from freshman infielder Kiley Carr as the Wolverines jumped out in front 9-6.
Indiana came within one run in the seventh inning as junior utility player Brooke Mannon hit a two-run home run to left-center field. But the Hoosiers couldn’t produce any more runs as they fell 9-8 in the second game of the series.
However, in the rubber match Sunday, Indiana’s offense and pitching rotation excelled. Parker had a dominant performance with two home runs and four RBIs.
But it was Goins who started the scoring for the Hoosiers in a big way, hitting a grand slam to deep center field as Indiana jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening inning.
Michigan junior outfielder Ella Stephenson hit a two-run home run to cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the first inning, but the Wolverines would not score again. Indiana redshirt junior starting pitcher Taylor Hess shut down the Michigan offense for the remainder of the game, as she surrendered six hits but just one earned run.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s offense was just getting started. Parker hit the first of her two home runs in the game in the top of the second inning, a three-run shot to center field. She connected on another long ball in the top of the fifth inning to give Indiana an 8-2 lead.
Goins hit an RBI single, Mannon hit an RBI sacrifice fly to center field and senior outfielder Cassidy Kettleman hit an RBI double to left field to cap off the Hoosiers’ 11-2 run-rule victory in five innings.
Indiana will be back in action at 6 p.m. Wednesday, as the Hoosiers return to Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington to host Evansville University. The game 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.
