Indiana softball traveled to Mexico last weekend to compete in the Puerto Vallarta Challenge, where it finished 4-0 to bring its overall record to 8-1. The team pitched its way to two shutouts and seven earned runs across four games throughout a successful weekend.
In their first matchup Feb. 13 against North Dakota State University, the offseason pitching additions of freshman Jenae Berry and Taylor Hess propelled the Hoosiers to a shutout victory in five innings.
Berry established a name for herself early on in her Indiana career. During opening weekend, which began Feb.6, the freshman started both games against Iowa State University, holding the Cyclones to two hits and zero earned runs across 7 2/3 innings.
The Queen Creek, Arizona, native built on her early season success in her start against North Dakota State, surrendering just two hits and zero runs across four innings.
After posting a scoreless four innings versus Stony Brook University last weekend to kick off her Indiana career, Hess entered the circle in the bottom of the fifth inning with an opportunity to secure the shutout win against the Bison. In one inning, the University of Kentucky transfer didn’t allow a run and added a strikeout to close out the Hoosiers’ 10-0 win.
On day two of the challenge, the Cream and Crimson played a double header. Hess started in the first game against Illinois State University, where she allowed her first earned run as a Hoosier, and collected three strikeouts through the first two innings.
Coming off an opening weekend where she allowed six earned runs across 10 2/3 innings, senior Brianna Copeland entered the circle at the start of the third inning. Through five innings, she gave up two earned runs to go with her five strikeouts. As a result of Copeland and Hess’ combined efforts, Indiana defeated Illinois State 6-5 in a tight contest.
In search of her second win of the challenge, Berry started in the circle for the second game of the doubleheader against Boise State University. The freshman followed up her successful day one performance by allowing one earned run across the first four innings, the first of her collegiate career.
In relief of Berry, the Indiana coaching staff called upon freshman Jasmine Reyes, who struggled to replicate her opening weekend success where she allowed zero earned runs across seven innings. This time around, Reyes surrendered three earned runs to the Broncos in the fifth inning alone but eventually induced three outs to retire the side.
Copeland entered the circle for the final two innings against the Broncos. On top of scoring a run in the game, the two-way player delivered three strikeouts to secure her first scoreless outing of the season and a 10-4 win.
Heading into the final day of the challenge Saturday and a matchup against Brigham Young University, the Hoosiers once again relied on Berry to get off to a strong start in the circle. The freshman set the tone early, allowing just four hits and zero earned runs across six innings while picking up her third win of the weekend and fifth of the season in the process.
After hitting a single in the fifth inning, Copeland came in to close the game in the circle. On her first two batters-faced, Copeland collected two strikeouts. While her third batter-faced roped a single, the senior quickly bounced back and struck out a third to secure the weekend sweep.
Since dropping their season opener, the 8-1 Hoosiers have won eight straight –– their best start to a season since 2019. As they look to build upon their winning streak, the Hoosiers will travel to Lubbock, Texas, to compete in the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic. They begin play at 8:30 p.m. Thursday against the University of Texas at El Paso.
