At Andy Mohr Field, the Indiana Hoosier softball team turned a back-and-forth contest into a controlled victory, using a four-inning scoring stretch to defeat the Detroit Mercy Titans softball team 7-5 Saturday afternoon. Despite falling behind 2-1 in the first inning, Indiana responded with consistent offensive pressure and aggressive baserunning to secure the win, while Detroit Mercy threatened late but couldn't complete the comeback.
Detroit Mercy struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on early control issues. A two-out, two-RBI single from Liv Peterson gave the Titans a quick 2-0 advantage. They added another in the second inning when Wendy Ketola launched a solo home run to left field, extending the lead to 3-1.
Indiana answered immediately, and often.
The Hoosiers chipped away in the first when Josie Bird roped an RBI double to left-center, then tied things in the second inning without recording a hit. Hit-by-pitches and walks fueled the rally, with Aly VanBrandt and Avery Parker each driving in runs after being plunked.
The game shifted decisively in the third and fourth innings.
Madalyn Strader ignited the third with a triple, later scoring to give Indiana its first lead. Moments later, Ellie Goins crossed the plate on a defensive miscue, pushing the advantage to 5-3. In the fourth, Goins delivered the biggest swing of the day, a two-RBI triple to center that stretched Indiana’s lead to 7-3.
“It’s all about passing the bat to our offense, who, is one of the top in the nation,” Goins said. “If we can pass the bat, good things will happen to us. And freebies lead to people on base, and people on base lead to runs scored.”
Though Indiana managed just six hits, their offensive approach proved effective; six walks, five hit-by-pitches and six stolen bases kept constant pressure on the Titans’ defense.
In the circle, Brooke Mannon delivered a standout performance in relief. After entering in the first inning, she tossed 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out eight to improve to 6-0 on the season. Her command stabilized the game after the early deficit.
“We get so caught up in one pitch, or we get so caught up in one at bat, and sometimes we look a little bit tense,” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said. “It's about team softball and being plus one, and that's what we were today.”
Detroit Mercy made things interesting in the seventh. Ketola and Jenna Higgins opened the inning with singles, and Jada Davis drove in a run to cut the lead to three. A sacrifice fly from Abby Klaft brought the Titans within two, but Indiana turned to Ella Troutt to close it out. Troutt recorded the final outs to secure the 7-5 victory.
Ultimately, Indiana’s ability to manufacture runs, without relying on heavy power, proved to be the difference. The Hoosiers combined timely hitting, patience at the plate, and aggressive baserunning to overcome early adversity and fend off a late push.
Indiana looks to carry the winning momentum next weekend in their away series against UCLA.
