Indiana softball cruises to doubleheader sweep against Purdue

Indiana softball accomplished a sweep in a doubleheader in opposition to in-state rival Purdue on Tuesday evening. The pair of wins enhance the Hoosiers’ file to 25-17 total and 8-9 in Massive Ten play.

Indiana slowly however absolutely constructed up a convincing lead within the first recreation. Junior utility participant Cora Bassett drove within the first run of the sport within the second inning, hitting a fielder’s alternative with the bases loaded.

Senior designated hitter Brittany Ford hit a RBI sacrifice fly ball to attain one other run within the third inning, stretching Indiana’s result in 2-0. The Hoosiers added two extra runs within the fourth inning off a fielder’s alternative from freshman outfielder Taylor Minnick, and Bassett stole house plate afterward.

Indiana freshman pitcher Heather Johnson threw 4 scoreless innings till Purdue lastly bought on the board with an RBI single from freshman Jade Moy. The Boilermakers scored one other two runs within the sixth inning to chop their deficit to 4-3.

The Hoosiers responded by main off the sixth inning with back-to-back house runs from senior infielder Juvia Davis and sophomore infielder Brooke Benson, stretching their lead again to a few runs. Senior pitcher Natalie Foor got here in to alleviate Johnson within the sixth inning and earned the save, as Indiana held on to win the primary recreation 6-3.

Purdue captured the lead straight away within the second recreation. Senior infielder Rachel Becker hit a leadoff house run in opposition to Foor to open the sport.

Indiana struck again within the second inning, taking a 2-1 lead with an RBI single by sophomore catcher Lindsey Warick and RBI double by Benson. 

After surrendering the leadoff homer, Foor allowed simply three extra hits and struck out a career-high 9 Boilermakers in 5.2 innings. 

Sophomore outfielder Aaliyah Andrews and Warick hit back-to-back house runs within the fourth inning, the second time Indiana went back-to-back within the doubleheader. The Hoosiers entered the sixth inning in management with a 4-1 lead.

Purdue spoiled Foor’s strikeout social gathering within the sixth inning. Freshman catcher Ryen Ross hit a three-run blast to tie the sport at 4-4, placing strain on Indiana’s offense.

The Hoosiers responded by loading the bases and ultimately bringing house all three baserunners, retaking a three-run lead. Foor and Johnson reversed roles from the primary recreation, as Johnson got here in to alleviate Foor and shut Purdue right down to earn a 7-4 win.

“We performed a full day of softball, anytime you will get a doubleheader win it’s fairly thrilling, particularly in opposition to Purdue,” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton mentioned. “We hit all three phases of the sport for possibly the primary time all yr.”

Bassett, a switch from Purdue, headed into the doubleheader trying to break Indiana’s single-season doubles file, set by then-senior Gabbi Jenkins in 2021. Purdue needed no a part of her effectivity on the plate, strolling Bassett 5 instances, together with 3 times deliberately. 

Indiana did handle to interrupt a file regardless. By hitting two house runs in every recreation, the Hoosiers reached 53 house runs on the season. This mark set a program file, breaking the earlier mark of 51 house runs reached within the 2015 season.

Subsequent up for Indiana is a three-game collection in opposition to Illinois this weekend. The collection will mark the Hoosiers’ remaining video games at Andy Mohr Subject this season.