After picking up a win against a tough non-conference opponent and extending their streak to five games, Indiana softball went on the road with hopes of building on its winning momentum. However, the Hoosiers couldn’t get the outcome they desired in their weekend series.
Despite scoring 24 runs and outhitting its opponent 35-21 across three games played, Indiana softball came away with just one win in its three-game series over the weekend against Wisconsin at the Goodman Softball Complex in Madison, Wisconsin.
In the first game of the series, Indiana fell just short of a comeback win against the Badgers, which snapped the Hoosiers’ five-game win streak. Wisconsin led through most of the game, but senior pitcher and utility player Brianna Copeland’s two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning cut the Badgers’ lead to 6-5.
However, the Hoosiers were unable to put another run on the board and ultimately fell to the Badgers 6-5. In the game, Copeland added on to her career and program record with her 42nd career home run.
Despite falling just short of winning, the Hoosiers offense outhit the Badgers 10-9 and four different Hoosiers recorded an RBI, including Copeland, sophomore utility player Alex Cooper, junior catcher Avery Parker and senior outfielder Kinsey Mitchell.
This solid offensive performance by the Hoosiers was followed up by a seemingly unstoppable offensive showing in game two of the series Saturday.
The Hoosiers made quick work of the Badgers in game two, defeating them 14-1 in run-rule fashion. In this game alone, four different Hoosiers hit a home run: Parker, sophomore utility player Aly VanBrandt, redshirt junior outfielder Melina Wilkison and senior outfielder Taylor Minnick.
The Hoosiers outhit the Badgers by eight hits and scored 14 total runs off 14 hits.
Indiana’s offensive efficiency carried over into the final game of the series but proved to not be enough to get past Wisconsin. The Hoosiers outhit the Badgers 11-6, with three different Hoosiers tallying a double, but were handed their worst loss of the series, falling 10-5.
Indiana limited the amount of hits for Wisconsin in the final game of the series but were hurt by the Badgers’ explosive offensive plays, including redshirt senior catcher Emmy Wells’ grand slam in the third inning to put Wisconsin up 8-2.
The 1-2 weekend series record moved Indiana to 28-12 overall and 7-7 in the conference.
The Hoosiers’ offense has not been a worry for the team all year long as they are one of the most potent offenses in the country. Indiana currently is first in the country for best batting average at .384, just ahead of the No. 1 ranked University of Texas.
The Hoosiers currently have four different players hitting above .400 including freshman infielder Madalyn Strader, Mitchell, Parker and Minnick. Minnick leads the team and the Big Ten conference in batting average, hitting .513.
With just 12 regular season games remaining, the Hoosiers will have to find a way to limit the scoring of their opponents to finish out the season on a strong note.
Indiana will be back in action at 6 p.m. Friday for a conference matchup against Nebraska at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
