In 2025, Indiana softball posted a 4.60 team-ERA — the fourth highest mark in the Big Ten. Head coach Shonda Stanton upgraded the Hoosiers’ pitching staff in the offseason, adding four arms to the unit, including freshman Aubree Hooks.
Hooks has helped transform the Hoosiers into one of the top pitching staffs in the Big Ten — one that ranked third in the conference with a 3.14 ERA entering their series against Iowa over the weekend.
After pitching in just one game against Purdue last weekend, Hooks appeared in all three games against the Hawkeyes, powering the Hoosiers to a 2-1 series victory in Iowa City, Iowa. With its two wins, Indiana moved to 34-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play.
While the series was originally slated to begin Friday, weather forced a Saturday doubleheader. Hooks earned the start in the series opener Saturday, and surrendered four hits and one earned run, while striking out one across five innings.
The Hawkeyes struggled to generate offense early, as Hooks retired their first six batters. Iowa senior infielder Avery Jackson picked up the Hawkeyes’ first hit of the game in the third inning, but Hooks fielded a groundout to end the inning without allowing a score.
Hooks allowed her only run on a fourth inning solo home run, giving Iowa some offensive momentum. Following the home run, the Hawkeyes put three more runners on base, but Hooks navigated the traffic around the basepaths, forcing a lineout to escape the inning.
Sophomore pitcher Ella Troutt — Indiana’s ERA leader heading into the series — entered in relief of Hooks in the bottom of the sixth. Troutt held the Hawkeyes scoreless through two innings in the circle, securing a 2-1 Indiana victory to begin the weekend.
Less than an hour after the series opener ended, the two teams took the field for the second leg of Saturday’s doubleheader, where redshirt junior pitcher Taylor Hess started in the circle for the Hoosiers. After generating just one run against Hooks and Indiana earlier in the day, Iowa’s bats were aggressive to begin the second matchup of the series.
The Hawkeyes scored a run in the second inning before adding another in the fourth, leading to Hess’ exit. Junior pitcher and utility player Brooke Mannon relieved Hess with one out in the fourth inning. Mannon quickly loaded the bases, walking the first batter she faced. Mannon then picked up two consecutive outs, including a strikeout to end the fourth, before picking up a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth.
However, the Hawkeyes strung together an explosive sixth inning, scoring five runs as Stanton cycled through Mannon, Troutt and sophomore Jasmine Reyes in the circle.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s offense staged a comeback in the seventh, rallying from down 7-2 to tie the game. With the game knotted at seven, Stanton once again called upon Hooks, and she delivered.
Across four innings, including three in extras, the Alabaster, Alabama, native allowed zero earned runs and just two hits. Mannon and senior outfielder Cassidy Kettleman each drove in a score to secure a 9-7 victory in ten innings — Hooks’ second win of the weekend.
The series concluded with a matchup Sunday afternoon. After pitching nine total innings Saturday, Hooks stayed ready to enter and close the weekend. While Mannon started, she recorded just one out and gave up three earned runs in the first inning. Stanton did not wait long to react, quickly turning to her go-to arm in the opening frame.
Like she did Saturday, Hooks held Iowa in check. She limited the Hawkeyes to one unearned run and six hits. However, Indiana’s offense stalled. Its two runs were not enough to notch the series sweep, dropping the weekend finale 4-2.
After pitching 14.2 innings in two days, Hooks improved her record to 9-2 this season, while lowering her season-ERA to 2.32.
The Cream and Crimson have won five out of their six conference series this season, with their lone loss coming against UCLA. Indiana will now return to Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington to face Valparaiso University at 5 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.
