Indiana softball lost its opening game of the Knoxville Regional to the University of Virginia 8-7 in extra innings Friday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Indiana started the scoring in the first inning when senior catcher Avery Parker hit a two-run home run to give the Hoosiers a 2-0 lead. Sophomore infielder Madalyn Strader reached home on a Virginia throwing error as Indiana extended its lead to 3-0.
Virginia tied the game in the bottom of the second inning, as senior infielder Jade Hylton hit a three-run home run. Indiana took the lead back in the top of the third inning when senior outfielder Ellie Goins hit a home run to center field.
Then, the Cavaliers hit two home runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at five, with the first coming from sophomore utility player Madison Greene and the second from Hylton.
Goins continued her big night by hitting her second home run of the game deep into center field to give the Hoosiers a 7-5 lead in the top of the fifth inning.
However, Virginia would not go away quietly. Freshman pitcher Ella Troutt gave up a bases-loaded walk to Hylton that brought home Virginia freshman infielder Addison Reasor to cut the Indiana lead down to one in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Later in the frame, junior infielder/utility player Macee Eaton then hit an RBI groundout to Hess that brought home Greene to tie the game at seven.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cavaliers had an opportunity to walk off the Hoosiers when freshman outfielder Jaidyn Griffith hit a single into center field. Goins then made a game-saving throw from the outfield, and Parker tagged Virginia senior outfielder Kassidy Hudson out at home to send the game to extra innings.
However, Indiana could not keep the momentum going through the game’s conclusion, as Virginia redshirt freshman catcher Reagan Hickey hit a walkoff RBI single that brought home Hylton and gave the Cavaliers the win over the Hoosiers.
Indiana will now play for its season when it faces Northern Kentucky University at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the elimination bracket portion of the Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Joe Elms (@JoeElms1 and @jpelms@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana softball season.
