With the homestretch of the season approaching for Indiana softball, it is set to host Ball State University on Wednesday at Andy Mohr Field for its final non-conference game of the 2025 season. The Hoosiers head into the matchup 29-13 overall and 8-8 in Big Ten play, placing them 10th in the conference.
Meanwhile, Ball State resumes play after a week-long break, after it last played Western Michigan University on April 16. The Cardinals hold a 28-11 overall record but have experienced more success in conference play than the Hoosiers, owning a 13-5 record in the Mid-American Conference.
Second-year head coach Helen Peña leads the Cardinals. On July 31, 2023, Ball State announced it would hire Peña — the 11th head coach in program history. In her first season at the helm, Peña led the Cardinals to a 29-29 overall record and a MAC championship game appearance.
Before joining the Cardinals, Peña served as the associate head coach at Middle Tennessee State University, where she was named the 2023 Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year by Extra Inning softball.
In the circle, the Hoosier lineup faces a challenge across from Ball State junior infielder and pitcher Ella Whitney. The Martinsville, Indiana, native has shined in 23 appearances this season, posting a team-leading 2.55 ERA and 17 wins, which is tied for 20th in the nation. Whitney has thrown 15 complete games for the Cardinals — tied for 18th in Division I softball — while being named the MAC Pitcher of the Week for two consecutive weeks March 4 and March 11.
While Whitney is a threat in the circle, she also serves as a valuable piece of the Cardinals’ offensive lineup. The two-way player has collected nine home runs with 44 RBIs, ranking second on the team in both categories.
However, redshirt senior utility player Mckayla Timmons leads the Cardinals in most major hitting statistics. A First Team All-MAC honoree in 2023 and 2024, Timmons hits a team-leading .462 at the plate, which ranks 20th in the nation. The Lithia, Florida, native also ranks first on the team with 48 hits, 13 home runs and 48 RBIs headed into the matchup against Indiana.
Timmons earned MAC Player of the Week honors March 11 for her performance in the Bellarmine Invitational. Across five games, Timmons collected 10 hits and three home runs to secure the award.
Despite the Cardinals’ strong numbers at the plate, the Cream and Crimson have the offensive firepower to outscore them. The Hoosiers have been red hot at the plate this season, as their .382 batting average ranks first in Division I softball.
Senior outfielder Taylor Minnick has been the driving force behind the number and will look to build upon her strong campaign against the Cardinals. Minnick is hitting .500 at the plate — second best in the nation.
Headed into the matchup, Minnick has 19 doubles on the season and 54 in her Indiana career. The Bloomington native needs just one more to break the program’s single-season and career double record.
In all-time matchups between Indiana and Ball State, the Hoosiers own a 43-36 record. It has been nearly a decade since these two teams last played each other, with the last matchup occurring on April 20, 2016, when the Hoosiers secured a 7-1 victory.
After splitting a two-game series against No. 18 Nebraska over the weekend, Indiana will look to lean on its explosive offense to close out non-conference. The matchup between the Hoosiers and the Cardinals is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington and will stream on Big Ten+.
