The Indiana trident engraved within an outline of the state typically sits alone at Andy Mohr Field. But for Indiana softball’s regular season finale against Illinois on Sunday, the Nos. 15, 16 and 18 surrounded the centerfield logo in honor of Indiana’s trio of seniors — outfielders Cassidy Kettleman and Ellie Goins, along with catcher Avery Parker.
Kettleman, Goins and Parker each stood with their families prior to Sunday’s Senior Day game. Videos of the trio recalling favorite softball memories played on the video board in left field, before each player received a framed jersey and flowers to commemorate their careers.
But beyond their recognitions, the seniors played a pivotal role in the Cream and Crimson’s three-game series sweep of the Fighting Illini this weekend.
The first instance came Friday, as Parker broke a three-run tie in the second inning. Entering the weekend, the Westfield, Indiana, native had hit six home runs in five games since breaking Indiana’s career home run record against Iowa on April 19.
In her final Big Ten series as a Hoosier on Friday, Parker launched a grand slam, giving Indiana a 7-3 lead. Kettleman also added a hit and drew a walk at the plate, as the Cream and Crimson secured an 8-5 win.
After going 0 for 3 on Friday, Goins rebounded with two hits Saturday. Meanwhile, Kettleman recorded a hit and scored a run en route to a 7-3 victory in the second game of the series.
Following Senior Day celebrations prior to Sunday’s game, the Cream and Crimson refocused to earn the three-game sweep.
Kettleman, Goins and Parker each recorded a hit in what was likely their final game at Andy Mohr Field. Goins also registered an RBI, driving in freshman outfielder Jada Ellison with a single to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Behind the efforts of their senior class at the plate, the Hoosiers claimed a 7-3 victory. With the sweep, the Hoosiers closed the regular season with a 41-13 record — their third 40-plus win season in the last four years.
Kettleman and Parker each spent all of their four-year collegiate careers at Indiana. One season before the duo’s arrival in 2023, the Cream and Crimson finished with a 27-22 record and missed the NCAA Tournament. But since Kettleman and Parker first took the field in a Hoosier uniform, Indiana has gone to the tournament three consecutive times, with a fourth straight trip this season likely.
Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said Kettleman and Parker helped set “a new standard of excellence and what the expectation is” in 2022.
“That first group wanted to win and win now,” Stanton said Sunday about Indiana’s 2022 roster. “And so they were great and started to lay the foundation of this culture. And now, every team that comes in, you expect to go win 40 wins.”
Parker said that this success only fueled the team’s ambition.
“Getting to the postseason for the first time in a long time, and getting those 40 wins, getting to the Big Ten championship,” Parker said. “After that, it was like, we were hungry for more.”
While Kettleman and Parker helped lift Indiana to new heights in their collegiate careers, Goins did not experience this same success in her first three seasons spent at North Carolina State University. There, Goins was a part of two losing seasons and did not reach the NCAA Tournament.
Looking for a centerfielder in the offseason, Goins caught Stanton’s attention in the transfer portal.
“We told her we needed somebody to lock it down in center,” Stanton said about Goins. “Kettle’s (Kettleman) just been so good in left field and we wanted to be able to keep her there. And Ellie’s got an incredibly strong arm, and you see her range, her first step is phenomenal.”
While Goins has helped provide stability in center field for the Hoosiers, she also finished the 2026 regular season with a career-best .306 batting average and seven home runs.
After securing the series sweep over Illinois and going through postgame rituals with the rest of the team for perhaps the final time at Andy Mohr Field, Indiana’s trio of seniors stepped aside for a time of reflection. Each lay on top of their numbers stamped in centerfield for a moment.
“I think just a sense of gratitude,” Goins said. “Like how cool is it that we got to spend our last day on a beautiful day with fans that packed the stands and dogs in the outfield? It was just great.”
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
