After trailing 2-1 after the fourth inning in the first game of its weekend series, Indiana softball scored five unanswered runs to secure a 6-2 victory against No. 22 Nebraska on Friday — its second win over a ranked opponent this season.
In the first leg of the two-game series, freshman pitcher Jenae Berry earned the start in the circle for Indiana. Berry pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings before senior pitcher and utility player Brianna Copeland entered in relief of the freshman.
Junior catcher Avery Parker started the Hoosiers’ scoring Friday. Parker has been a threat to opposing pitchers in the batter’s box throughout the season, leading the team with 54 RBIs, including a six-RBI performance against Bowling Green State University on March 7.
The Westfield, Indiana, native laced a single to left center field, paving the way for sophomore utility player Alex Cooper to round the bases and give the Cream and Crimson a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
During the following frame, the Cornhuskers responded with a two-run home run off of Copeland to gain a 2-1 advantage.
However, the Hoosiers remained in control the rest of the game as their offense began to heat up in the sixth inning. Cooper lined an RBI single before senior outfielder Taylor Minnick hit a three-RBI double to left center in the frame, giving the Cream and Crimson a 5-2 lead.
Heading into the weekend, Minnick’s .513 batting average ranked second in the nation and had been the driving force behind Indiana’s nation-leading .384 team batting average.
Minnick’s go-ahead double marked her 19th of the season and the 54th of her collegiate career, tying the program’s single season and career records.
With a commanding 5-2 lead, Berry re-entered the circle to close the game. Across 4 2/3 total innings, the team-leader in ERA surrendered zero earned runs, three hits and added two strikeouts.
After giving up 10 runs to Wisconsin in their last outing April 13, the Hoosiers’ pitching staff bounced back Friday. Berry and Copeland allowed just four hits to Nebraska — a team that ranked second in the nation with 84 home runs and 13th in hits with 410 on the season going into the matchup.
In the final inning, freshman catcher and infielder Josie Bird hit a sacrifice fly to add an insurance run and secure Indiana’s 6-2 victory.
The win marked Indiana’s second ranked win in seven matchups this season. Its first came in a 13-7 victory over Ohio State on March 31.
After taking the series opener, the Hoosiers dropped the second game 12-4 Saturday. With the series split, the Hoosiers sit at 29-13 overall and own an 8-8 Big Ten record.
Coming up on the season’s homestretch, the Hoosiers look to string together consistent pitching and offensive performances, while improving upon their conference record with two series remaining. The first comes at home against first-place Oregon, before Indiana travels to West Lafyette for a matchup against Purdue.
Before it finishes conference play, Indiana hosts Ball State University. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday and will stream on Big Ten+.