After a 2021 season marred by COVID-19 and an all-Big Ten schedule, the Indiana softball team is back in action this weekend until at least the middle of May.
The Hoosiers released their schedule for the 2022 season on Dec. 20, 2021, and will play 17 of its 50 games this season at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington.
Here’s what to expect:
New-look Hoosiers
The Hoosiers lost seven seniors and one graduate student from the 2021 season, as well as sophomore pitcher Amber Linton to the transfer portal. Graduate student infielder Grayson Radcliffe is the only returning starter from the 2021 season. Former left fielder Gabbi Jenkins returned to the team as a volunteer assistant coach.
“If I had to describe this year’s team in one word, I would say they are an athletic bunch,” head coach Shonda Stanton said. “Our strengths are going to be our offensive production and taking care of the ball.”
This season will be Stanton’s fifth coaching the Hoosiers. She has a 99-79 overall record in that span and is 52-38 in Big Ten play.
Indiana enters 2022 with a much different team than last spring, filled with new recruits and transfers. Incoming freshmen include pitcher/infielder Brianna Copeland, pitcher/infielder Heather Johnson, outfielder Taylor Minnick, outfielder Kinsey Mitchell and utility player Sarah Stone.
“This is the most athletic team I’ve been on since I’ve been here,” Radcliffe said. “I love the transition I made with this program. I think our relationships this year and connection on the team run so deep.”
Hoosier transfers include junior utility player Cora Bassett from Purdue and sophomore catcher Lindsey Warick from the University of Missouri.
Last season, Indiana finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 25-19 record in a 44-game conference-only schedule, but the team failed to make it to the 2021 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament.
The Hoosiers have not made it to the postseason since 2011, when they went 37-18 with a 17-3 Big Ten record. They also haven’t won a regional tournament or made the Women’s College World Series since 1986.
Circle your calendar
Beginning Feb. 25-27, Indiana is scheduled to travel to Tallahassee, Florida, for the Unconquered Invitational to play Florida State University, who sits at No. 6 in preseason rankings.
Indiana will play its 2022 home opener on March 5 against Valparaiso University.
The Hall of Fame Classic in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from March 18-20 will see Indiana face off with both Iowa and the 2021 Women’s College World Series Champion and top team in preseason rankings, No. 1 University of Oklahoma.
Big Ten play starts up March 25 when Indiana travels to Ohio State. The team’s first in-conference home series will be against Rutgers from April 8-10. Other notable Big Ten home games include a doubleheader against Purdue on April 13 and a weekend series against No. 23-preseason ranked Northwestern from April 22-24.
Indiana will conclude the regular season on May 6-8 at Nebraska. The Big Ten Tournament is scheduled for May 12-14 at Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan.
It all starts this weekend
Indiana will start its season in Boca Raton, Florida, by participating in the First Pitch Classic from Friday to Sunday. On Friday, Indiana will play at 4:30 p.m. against the University of Louisville. Louisville beat Indiana 5-2 on March 26, 2019, and currently leads the all-time series against Indiana 17-3.
Friday night will feature a 7 p.m. matchup against Florida Atlantic University. Indiana holds the overall lead in this series 2-0 and won the last meeting 4-1 on Feb. 9, 2019, in Boca Raton.
Indiana will face off against Bethune-Cookman University at 2 p.m. Saturday.
At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Indiana will play against Northern Illinois University for its most competitive all-time series of its weekend opponents. Indiana holds a 15-10 overall lead in the series against NIU but lost 5-2 when the two teams last played each other on March 5, 2007.
Indiana will wrap the weekend in Florida up at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with a second game against NIU. All of Indiana’s games at the First Pitch Classic will be broadcast on BTN+.
