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Sunday, May 4
The Indiana Daily Student

sports softball

Indiana softball’s ‘keep calm, swing on’ mindset propels Hoosiers to run rule victory

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A warm, sunny day in Bloomington resulted in packed stands at Andy Mohr Field for Indiana softball’s last non-conference game of the season. However, the sunny weather wasn’t the only thing shining bright in the Hoosier’s offensive clinic against Ball State University.  

After getting defeated by run rule in Indiana’s last outing against Nebraska on Saturday, the Hoosiers came out swinging to propel themselves to a 14-1 run rule victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday.  

The Hoosiers opened up the game with a leadoff home run hit by senior pitcher and utility player Brianna Copeland, marking the 43rd of her career. The home run got the offense going, as the Hoosiers opened the first inning with four runs scored.  

Indiana had consistent scoring throughout the evening across all innings of work. The four-run first inning was highlighted by Copeland’s leadoff home run, senior outfielder Kinsey Mitchell’s RBI single up the middle and junior outfielder Melina Wilkison’s double RBI.  

This four run first inning was followed up by a three-run second inning, where sophomore utility player Aly VanBradnt hit a ball beyond the fences while Wilkison tallied her fifth triple of the year.  

To continue the balanced scoring, Copeland, Minnick and junior catcher and utility player Avery Parker got on base, to pick up another run in the third inning. 

 The Hoosiers wrapped up their last inning batting with a six run fourth inning. In the inning, freshman outfielder Hannah Haberstroh hit her first triple of the year, Minnick tallied a three-run homerun and both Parker and Wilkison hit doubles.  

In the victory, all players got involved in the win as Indiana outhit Ball State 15-3, with eight different Hoosiers recording a hit. Of those eight Hoosiers, three tallied a homerun. 

The loose, potent offense of the Hoosiers can be attributed to the team message described post game of “keep calm, swing on.”  

“If we do that, we’ll be just fine,” head coach Shonda Stanton said postgame.  

The Hoosiers lead the nation in batting average and on base percentage. They exhibited exactly why in their victory over the Cardinals. 

With only six regular season games remaining, the Hoosiers will need to keep their offense rolling to pick up more wins and strengthen their tournament resume.  

Indiana heads into the weekend to face No. 7 Oregon in a conference series at Andy Mohr Field. To prepare for the matchup, Stanton says her squad approaches with a “nothing to lose” attitude.  

“The pressure is not on us right now,” Stanton said. “They’re playing for that Big Ten title, and we’re playing for a resume builder.” 

After the victory over Ball State, the Hoosiers moved to 30-13 overall, their third consecutive 30-win season. Indiana is seeking history with a third consecutive postseason appearance as well. 

The potent, high scoring offense of the Hoosiers displayed against Ball State, and throughout the season, could be enough to propel them to another postseason appearance and chance at an extended run.  

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