Indiana softball has four matchups in its home opener this weekend, with two games apiece against Valparaiso University and Western Illinois University at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington. Indiana enters the weekend with a 5-4 record to start the 2022 season.
This is the first softball game at Andy Mohr Field open to the public since March 10, 2020. In that game, Indiana defeated Miami University 1-0 before going on the road to Florida. During that trip, the rest of the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is nothing like being home,” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said. “If last fall was any indication of what the fans will be like this season, I think it will be fun.”
Family, media and personnel were the only individuals allowed to attend home games in the 2021 season. Fans were able to attend the team’s preseason games this past fall.
Indiana starts the series at 2 p.m. Friday with its first matchup against Valparaiso. The second game of the day will start at 4:30 p.m. against Western Illinois. Another double-header begins against Western Illinois at noon and wraps up the weekend with another game against Valparaiso at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Indiana last met with Valparaiso on April 30, 2014, at Andy Mohr Field. Indiana won that game 8-0 and currently leads the all-time series 9-0. Valparaiso is off to a 5-4 start this season but is coming off a loss to SUNY Binghamton.
Indiana last played Western Illinois in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 10, 2017. Indiana won that game 1-0 in eight innings and leads the all-time series 19-8. Western Illinois is 3-8 so far and currently 0-1 against Big Ten teams this season, with that loss coming to Illinois on Feb. 19 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Hoosiers took full control of the series against Hofstra University on Feb. 26-27. Their offense produced consistently and was able to outscore the Pride 18-4 throughout the weekend with reliable batting from graduate student infielder Grayson Radcliffe and junior infielder Cora Bassett.
Against No. 3 Florida State that same weekend, though, Indiana was unable to capitalize on anything during the first game. However, the Hoosiers were able to keep the Seminoles under control until a sixth-inning collapse. Florida State senior infielder Mack Leonard hit a two-run home run to win the game.
All of Indiana’s games this weekend will be broadcast on BTN+.
