It was a senior Sunday showdown as Indiana’s Avery Parker, Madalyn Strader and Ellie Goins took Andy Mohr Field for the final time against conference rivals, the Fighting Illini. This was not only the last home game of the season but the last regular season game as well. The win was effortless for Indiana as they defeated Illinois 7-3 on Sunday. With the stands packed on both sides and another weekend sweep under the Hoosiers’ belt, Indiana softball finished 41-13 for the season.
It was the third time in four seasons that head coach Shonda Stanton’s team won 40 or more games, this time finishing 8–0 against in-state opponents.
“Loose and locked in” was Stanton's motto for her players this weekend, said the coach. The Hoosiers had no problem getting locked in out of the gate. The power at the plate for Indiana has been a force to be reckoned with all season long, but this game in particular brought a defense like no other. Hannah Haberstroh put on her wheels to catch a deep hit in right field. This play added to the first 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first inning for the Hoosiers. Josie Bird would then extend herself to get the last out before sending Indiana to the batters box.
In the bottom of the first inning and at the top of the lineup, junior Aly VanBrandt cranked a home run to center field. The Hoosiers continued to display dominance throughout the rest of the game, making it their mission to seal their last game at home with a sweep. Alex Cooper came in clutch by earning a base with a soft single to right field. A little ways down the lineup, Josie Bird hit a bomb outside the park which sent teammates Cooper and Avery Parker home. This marked two home runs in the first inning alone, giving Indiana momentum both on and off the field.
A fifth-inning RBI single for Goins allowed pinch runner Jada Ellison to score, increasing Indiana’s lead to 7-1. Illinois attempted to catch up as the Fighting Illini’s Taylor Porter hit her first home run of the season in the seventh inning. However, that would be the last time the Hoosiers allowed their opponents to score.
Parker, who broke Indiana softball’s program record for home runs recorded in a single season against Iowa a couple weeks ago, said the Hoosiers aren’t done yet.
“We’re hungry for more and for us that’s what our work ethic was for, instead of just wanting the 40 wins, it was wanting 40-plus and it was wanting postseason again,” Parker said.
Indiana went through all but one player of their entire batting lineup in the first inning. But a strong first inning didn’t allow the Hoosiers to get too comfortable and it didn’t slow them down after that either. Taking the field in the top of the sixth, the crimson and cream executed a double play by reaching Illinois’ Ady Kiddy on a fielder's choice and Keirys Click from third base to second base.
There was some struggle on the mound as the first strikeout wasn’t reached until 190 pitches later by Brooke Mannon in the top of the seventh inning. There were also two walks given both to Illinois' Adisyn Caryl throughout the game. However, the Hoosiers evened it out when Strader scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth.
Adding a cherry on top to a successful regular season, Indiana secured a spot in the 2026 Big Ten Softball Tournament as fourth seed. They have an opening round bye and will play on Thursday in College Park, Maryland against No. 5 seed Washington or No. 12 seed Minnesota. Semifinals will take place on Friday with the championship being Saturday.
