Indiana softball’s losing streak extended to three games in a 11-2 blowout against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Wednesday afternoon. The Hoosiers’ record drops to 23-14 after the loss.
“I really don’t like the way we chose not to compete,” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said after the loss. “We didn’t get the job done in any of the three phases of the game.”
Indiana’s woes started early, as Louisiana junior designated hitter Karly Heath hit a three-run blast to put the Ragin’ Cajuns up 3-0 in the first inning. Indiana freshman pitcher and infielder Brianna Copeland drew a walk and stole second base in the first inning, but the Hoosiers failed to capitalize Copeland’s scoring position.
Louisiana continued to produce offensively, scoring one run in the second inning and two runs in the third inning to increase its lead to 6-0. Indiana showed some fight in the third inning, as sophomore shortstop Brooke Benson hit a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 6-2. However, that was all Indiana’s offense was able to generate in the game.
Louisiana fired right back in the fourth inning with a two-run home run from sophomore catcher Sophie Piskos to stretch its lead back to six. Indiana senior third baseman Grayson Radcliffe singled to start the fourth inning, and that was the Hoosiers’ last hit of the game.
Louisiana freshman pitcher Sam Landry finished her day after four innings pitched, allowing just two hits and two runs while striking out four Hoosier batters.
The fifth inning saw no runs scored, and it was the only inning Louisiana failed to put up any runs. The Ragin’ Cajuns produced three runs in the sixth inning as the result of a wild sequence of events, as freshman Taylor Minnick made a diving catch but followed up with a throwing error which advanced the baserunners.
The top of the Indiana lineup was unable to respond in the sixth inning, and the nine-run deficit enforced the mercy rule, ending the game one inning early. The 11-2 final score marked Indiana’s second consecutive home loss after the team won its first eight games at Andy Mohr Field.
Indiana sophomore pitcher Macy Montgomery took the loss on the mound, pitching two innings and allowing five hits and four runs. Copeland and senior Natalie Foor each pitched two innings as well, giving up four hits and four runs, and three hits and three runs, respectively. Foor’s outing was her third of the season, as she has battled injuries throughout the season and just recently became available.
The Hoosiers will next face No. 10 Northwestern in Bloomington in a three-game series this weekend. The Friday and Sunday games will be available to watch on Big Ten Network+, while Saturday’s game will be featured on the Big Ten Network.
“It was a tough game but we have to put it behind us and prepare for Northwestern,” Stanton said. “We’ve gotta reset our mindset and go on to the next one.”
