For much of this season, the top of Indiana softball’s batting order has carried the burden at the plate. Junior utility players Aly VanBrandt and Alex Cooper headline the Hoosiers’ lineup as their first two batters –– a duo that ranks first and second on the team in hits, respectively. Meanwhile, senior catcher Avery Parker, who typically bats third, is tied with VanBrandt for a team-leading 11 home runs.
But Indiana’s lineup depth showed against Purdue over the weekend, with 10 different Hoosiers collecting a hit across the series. Indiana’s offense combined for 18 runs across three games, powering the Cream and Crimson to a series sweep over the Boilermakers at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington.
In its weekend opener Friday, Indiana faced junior Julia Gossett in the circle. Entering the series, Gossett owned a team-low 2.68 ERA and earned back-to-back Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors earlier in the season.
Gossett held the Hoosiers scoreless in the first, before senior outfielder Ellie Goins launched a solo home run –– her sixth of the season –– in the second inning. After Goins brought in the game’s first run, the Boilermakers responded with a score of their own two innings later, knotting the game at one.
VanBrandt –– Indiana’s leader in RBIs –– pushed Indiana back in front by a score in the fifth with a solo home run to right field. However, it was freshman utility player Josie White who helped clinch the victory Friday. White entered the game in the sixth inning, pinch-hitting for senior outfielder Cassidy Kettleman.
Entering Friday, White had just four hits on the season. But the freshman delivered, lining a two-RBI single as the Hoosiers claimed a 4-1 victory.
After hitting two home runs Friday, the Cream and Crimson did not rely on the long ball Saturday. Instead, the Hoosiers tallied 12 hits, prioritizing quality contact.
“The conviction's always about team, right?” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said Friday. “Like what are we doing to help the team win? And it's about hitting the ball hard and then how to hit the ball hard.”
After allowing a run to Purdue in the opening frame, sophomore catcher and infielder Josie Bird roped an RBI single in the bottom of the first to even the game. The following inning, VanBrandt hit a two-RBI single to extend the Hoosiers lead to 3-1.
Like White did in the series opener Friday, Kettleman contributed from the bottom of the lineup Saturday. The senior picked up two hits and was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the third to bring in Indiana’s fourth run of the game.
“I just know I have to do my job, especially being towards the bottom of the lineup,” Kettleman said Saturday. “I just want to try to get AVB (Alex VanBrandt) especially back up top, just because she's one of our main batters right now.”
With Kettleman getting on base in the third inning, VanBrandt stepped into the batter’s box with the bases loaded. VanBrandt hit a sacrifice fly-out to left field to secure another run en route to a 5-1 win.
Looking to close the series sweep Sunday, Indiana notched its highest run-output of the weekend. Sophomore infielder Madalyn Strader hit a solo home run to right center in the second frame to begin the scoring.
After going hitless in the first two games of the series, Parker earned a shot at redemption with a bases loaded situation in the third inning Sunday.
“And I knew I was due,” Parker said Sunday. “I’ve been working hard all weekend to get back in my groove.”
Parker tied the program’s career home run record with 45 against Butler University on Wednesday. On a pitch in the third inning Sunday, Parker hit a ball that ended up just left of the left field pole. While she did not get her anticipated record-breaking homer, Parker roped a bases-clearing double to right center field. This extended the Cream and Crimson’s advantage to 4-0.
“That was a game changer there,” Stanton said of Parker’s double.
Parker’s hit set the tone for the remainder of the game. Bird and sophomore outfielder Hannah Haberstroh each homered, while VanBrandt and Strader picked up RBIs to lead Indiana to a 9-0 victory.
Indiana’s offensive outburst against Purdue –– powered by contributions up and down the lineup –– underscored a common trait in 2026.
“That’s our identity,” Stanton said Sunday. “Hitter’s hit.”
Following its 3-0 weekend, Indiana sits at 31-10 overall and 10-5 in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers will now host the University of Notre Dame at 6 p.m. Tuesday, before traveling to Louisville, Kentucky to take on the University of Louisville at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
