The Indiana softball seniors took the field for their last home series against No. 7 Oregon on April 25-27 at Andy Mohr Field. Despite strong hitting across all three games, the Hoosiers defense was unable to keep the games in reach.
While the Hoosiers did show resilience and fight in the series finale Sunday, losing just 7-9, they were not able to get past Oregon, falling 0-3 on the weekend.
The Hoosiers’ first game of the series kicked off Friday night with a 10-4 loss to Oregon. Indiana took an early 3-0 lead after sophomore utility player Aly VanBrandt hit a three-run homerun in the bottom of the first inning, but Indiana was ultimately unable to keep the momentum through the remainder of the game.
Oregon immediately responded to the Hoosiers’ hot 3-0 start with a two run second inning and a five run third inning to take a 7-2 lead. For the remainder of the game, the Hoosiers gave up an additional three runs and were only able to score one themselves.
In the contest, Indiana tallied six hits from five different Hoosiers, including VanBrandt, senior outfielder Taylor Minnick, junior outfielder Melina Wilkison, freshman infielder Madalyn Strader and catcher and utility player Josie Bird. However, their pitching gave up 10 runs off nine hits.
In the second game on Saturday, the Hoosiers fell to Oregon 9-1 in just six innings of play. Oregon opened the game with yet another explosive start, scoring five runs in the first inning. The Hoosiers were able to get another six hits in the game but could not capitalize with any runs. Indiana’s defense was once again unable to limit the offense of the talented Duck’s roster.
The Hoosiers’ offense has been a strong point of the team all season long, as they lead the country in batting average. However, strengthening Indiana’s defense will be paramount to pick up more wins as it enters the final few weeks of the season.
While the Hoosiers and seniors on the squad were unable to get a win in their last home series of the season, head coach Shonda Stanton is still proud of the seniors and the impact they have had on the program in their time at Indiana.
“I would have loved to send them out with a win,” Stanton said postgame Sunday. “You know, they’re winners in the heart and I’m super proud of them.”
The three seniors on the Indiana roster include Minnick, pitcher and utility player Brianna Copeland and senior outfielder Kinsey Mitchell — all of whom spent their entire collegiate career at Indiana, leaving a lasting mark on the program and record books at Indiana.
To get back on the winning track, the Hoosiers defense will need to be strong in their last series of the season against rival Purdue on May 2-4. The first game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday in West Lafayette, Indiana.
