The Indiana Hoosiers softball team shook off the sting of their season opener loss to Florida Atlantic and delivered a powerful response Friday at the Paradice Classic in Boca Raton, Florida, showcasing early-season depth and offensive firepower with an 8-2 victory over Army West Point before turning their focus to a matchup against No. 25 Ohio State later in the evening.
In this contest, Indiana’s approach epitomized modern offensive discipline: work the count, advance the runner, and cash in when opportunity knocks. Rather than relying on one explosive inning, the Hoosiers build their advantage systematically. Singles and patient walks filled the bases, and when Indiana did connect, the hits translated into runs that tilted the momentum into the Hoosiers’ favor.
Spreading their offence across several innings, Indiana forced Army to deploy multiple pitches and adjust defensively on the fly, a strategic strain that ultimately contributed to the Hoosiers’ ability to manufacture runs and sustain pressure. Late-game aggressive base running by Brooke Mannon limited the Black Knights' ability to mount a comeback, turning what began as a competitive game into a decisive Hoosier advantage.
Defensively, Indiana’s pitching and infield work complemented the aggression of the offense. Hoosier pitchers Aubree Hooks and Megan Gregory only allowed the Black Knights’ lineup just two runs and kept scoring threats from maturing into game-changing rallies, underscoring a level of poise that's invaluable in early tournament play.
With their first win of the season secured, the Hoosiers turned their attention to their late-night matchup against the No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes, ranked in the preseason by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, bring a deep and experienced roster from a 45-21-1 campaign in the 2025 season, and return multiple players and pitchers recognized on the Big Ten preseason watch lists.
From the first pitch, the Hoosiers came out swinging. The Buckeyes struck first with a run in the top of the first, but Indiana responded immediately, answering with a pair of runs to seize control in the second inning.
By the time the third inning unfolded, the Hoosiers’ offense had already put pressure on the buckeyes with an 8-1 lead. The offence showed discipline and aggression, forcing Ohio State’s pitching staff into extended innings and capitalizing on every mistake. By the time Indiana added four more runs in the fourth inning, including a SAC fly and clutch RBI by Madalyn Strader, scoring a single by Hannah Haberstroh, the Hoosiers had stretched their advantage far beyond the Buckeyes’ reach.
By the end of the fifth inning, the run rule was in effect, with a 12-3 victory. It was the second win of the Paradise Classic, and a big non-conference road triumph over a ranked Big Ten opponent.
