Entering the week with a 15-game win streak, Indiana won its 16th in a row, defeating Butler University 9-1 behind a five-run first inning. Coming off a series sweep against Maryland, the Hoosiers were able to continue their hot streak behind noteworthy performances from freshman second baseman Taryn Kern and sophomore outfielder Taylor Minnick.
Kern, Big Ten Freshman of the week for the third consecutive week, has continued to stay hot at the plate, going 2-2 with a single, solo home run and her 21st walk of the season. While Kern has hit a home run in six of the last eight games for the Hoosiers, Team 50 has been able to prove that they can score runs without the long ball.
In the first inning, Indiana scored five runs by simply stringing singles and walks together to get runners on base and across the plate. RBI singles from Minnick, sophomore pitcher/infielder Brianna Copeland and freshman utility player Avery Parker allowed the Hoosiers to jump on graduate pitcher Sydney Cammon early.
Head coach Shonda Stanton cited her team’s ability to string together base hits, getting runners on base and driving them in as an offensive luxury
“What we are seeing with this group is that you know you got hitters in front of you, hitters behind you, and you have game changers on the bench,” Stanton said of the Indiana lineup. “That makes it a pretty good luxury offensively for us to have.”
Like Kern, Minnick also had two hits with both being singles that led to two runs being scored. Minnick’s total of 31 hits so far this season is good enough for third on the team behind Kern and senior utility player Cora Bassett.
The Hoosiers were able to take care of business against Butler with a run-rule victory, but a doubleheader in West Lafayette against the rival Purdue Boilermakers is on the slate for Wednesday with the first pitches being slated for 3 p.m. and approximately 5:30 p.m.
“You got to be able to take care of business,” Stanton said. “You can’t take any pitches off, and we also know that it’s about us right now and not about who is in the other dugout.”
