Indiana softball traveled to Clemson, South Carolina, over the weekend to compete in the Tiger Invitational. Despite finishing the event with a 2-2 record, senior pitcher and utility player Brianna Copeland and senior outfielder Taylor Minnick had historic performances. The pair of seniors helped Indiana move to 12-5 on the 2025 season.
The Cream and Crimson kicked off the Tiger Invitational with a 22-run scoring outburst in a win against Florida International University on Friday. This total marks the sixth- most runs scored in a single game by the Hoosiers, and their most since a 23-run performance during a win against Rutgers in 2017.
Copeland provided a massive spark to the Hoosier lineup during their matchup with the Panthers while batting second in the order, collecting five hits, seven RBIs and four runs to tie previous single-game records in the three categories.
Since being named to USA Softball’s Collegiate Player of the Year Top 53 Watchlist in January, Copeland has picked up nine hits and 11 runs while playing a pivotal role on the pitching staff prior to this weekend's invitational.
After racking up four hits across the first four innings against the Panthers, Copeland had a final opportunity at the record books in the top of the fifth inning. The Pelham, Alabama, native lined a double to right center and later scored in the inning to secure her spot in Indiana softball history.
Copeland also became the first Hoosier with five hits in a game since 1986 and the third in program history to collect seven RBIs in a single game.
Minnick followed up Copeland’s dominant performance by setting a school record of her own. In an 8-2 win against East Carolina University on Saturday, Minnick notched her 154th career RBI –– a program record.
Sitting three RBIs short of the mark heading into the matchup, the Bloomington native got on the board early when she roped a double in the first inning to bring junior outfielder Melina Wilkison around to score. Minnick then singled to right field in the fourth inning, clearing the way for Wilkison to cross home plate.
Minnick entered the batter's box in the bottom of the sixth inning for a chance at the record. With two outs and nobody on base, the lefty blasted a solo home run to center field to become the program’s all-time RBI leader and secure a six-run advantage for the Hoosiers.
Following her record-setting weekend, Minnick now leads the team with 21 RBIs, while hitting a joint team-high three home runs on the season.
Copeland and Minnick look to build upon their historic performances this upcoming weekend as Indiana prepares to host the Hoosier Classic and its first home game of the season at 3:30 Friday against IU Indianapolis.
