After a weekend-long series with several highs and lows, Indiana closed out the Littlewood Invitational in defeat to Nevada on Sunday, 4-2.
Indiana softball went 3-2 in the five-game stretch. They are now 7-3 on the season.
Coming off a win the night before against Nevada, the Hoosiers started off strong on the offensive side and shaky on defense.
Nevada’s Hannah DiGenova hit a home run to left field in the top of the first inning putting the Wolfpack ahead 1-0 in Sunday’s rematch .
Nevada’s offense had the stronger start of the two teams. The Wolfpack increased their lead 2-0 at the top of the second with a double by Madison Clark which led to Karolyn Glover scoring.
But it wasn’t until the bottom of the third, that Indiana would earn their first run. Walks by the Wolfpack earned Indiana’s Avery Parker and Peyton Drummond a spot on base. Junior second baseman Aly Vanbrandt hit a double and Josie Bird got walked which put Indiana on the scoreboard, 2-1.
The North Carolina State senior transfer outfielder Ellie Goins landed her second home run of the season for IU, which tied up the game against Nevada, 2-2.
Goins’ game wasn’t enough to satisfy the blood-thirsty Wolf Pack as they continued to attack offensively. Indiana’s Ella Troutt, Jasmine Reyes and Aubree Hooks all attempted to battle back defensively by performing in the circle.
The Hoosiers’ inconsistent offensive efforts made it difficult to contain Nevada. The Wolf Pack broke the tie by scoring on an error in the fifth and extending their lead in the top of the sixth with a home run by Haylee Engelbrecht.
The Hoosiers will travel to Tampa to continue their tournament play in the USF invitational Feb. 20-23.
