Indiana softball appeared on its way to a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal victory over Washington on Thursday. After junior utility player and pitcher Brooke Mannon drove in a run in the second and junior utility player Aly VanBrandt hit a two-run homer in the third frame, the Hoosiers held a 3-0 lead entering the fifth inning.
Sophomore pitcher Ella Troutt, who held a 2.80 ERA entering the contest, earned the start for the Cream and Crimson. In her first Big Ten Tournament appearance, Troutt stymied the Huskies’ lineup through the first four innings, holding them to just two hits.
Washington began to rally offensively in the top of the fifth. A hit by pitch, a single and a wild pitch placed Huskies runners on second and third with sophomore infielder Alexis DeBoer — the team’s leading home run hitter — due up. DeBoer floated a single to center field, driving in both base runners and closing Washington’s deficit to 3-2.
Despite the late game push, Indiana was able to hold its lead, scoring six combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings to notch a 9-2 victory in College Park, Maryland.
After the Hoosiers scored three runs against senior starting pitcher Sophia Ramuno through three innings, Washington head coach Heather Tarr brought in sophomore Morgan Reimer to begin the fourth. Reimer held Indiana scoreless in her first inning, but the Cream and Crimson responded.
Indiana had the bases loaded with two outs in the fifth and senior catcher Avery Parker —the program’s all-time home run leader — in the batter’s box. The Westfield, Indiana, native had another shot at school history Thursday. Parker entered the contest two RBIs away from the most in an Indiana career. Taylor Minnick previously set the mark of 204 during her senior season in 2025.
With the bases loaded, Parker lined the ball to Washington freshman shortstop Melody Acevedo. Parker reached first base safely and received a celebratory handshake from Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton for what they thought was the record-breaking hit. VanBrandt and sophomore outfielder Hannah Haberstroh each rounded the bases to score.
However, the play was ruled an error, as the ball bounced off Acevedo’s glove. While Parker did not achieve the RBI mark, Indiana still took a 5-2 lead. Sophomore infielder Josie Bird added to Indiana’s advantage in the fifth, lining a single up the middle to bring in another score.
This offensive momentum carried into the sixth frame. Haberstroh singled before VanBrandt drew a walk. With two base runners and two outs, junior utility player Alex Cooper stepped to the plate. Cooper launched a three-run home run to right center field, pushing the score to 9-2.
Against Washington, seven Hoosiers recorded a hit, while four drove in at least one run. Indiana’s offense caught fire entering postseason play and has now scored seven or more runs in each of its last nine games. The Cream and Crimson’s nine-run outburst tied for the program’s most in a Big Ten Tournament game, matching a 9-5 win over Nebraska in 2024.
In the circle, Troutt finished her five-inning day with two runs surrendered. She escaped a bases loaded jam in the second inning, picking up a strikeout to end the frame.
Freshman pitcher Aubree Hooks relieved Troutt in the circle. Hooks pitched two scoreless innings and held the Huskies to two hits, as the Hoosiers advanced to the semifinal round.
The Cream and Crimson’s win Thursday marks their second consecutive Big Ten Tournament victory over Washington, after a win in the first round last season. With its win, Indiana will play No. 1 Nebraska in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Friday.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
UPDATE: This story has been updated with Indiana’s semifinals opponent.
