Indiana has achieved much of its offensive success this season through the particular process of pairing patience at the plate and boldness on the base paths. Those two approaches to plate appearances, which often lead to walks and stolen bases, plant runners in position to score and amplify the impact of an inning across the board.
As a team, Indiana is ranked fourth in walks and first in stolen bases in the Big Ten. Amazingly, the Hoosiers have stolen 50 more bases than the next contender, with Purdue stealing 75 so far this season.
Most recently, in an 8-5 win in the series opener against Illinois on Friday, the Hoosiers stole five bases and walked seven times. Even though Indiana didn’t apply the same constant sense of pressure that it has in the past, the Hoosiers were frequently in position to score, which maximized the impact of scoring plays when timely hitting arrived.
One great example of timely hitting is the grand slam hit by senior Avery Parker in the second inning. The strong swing batted in four runs, represented by Hannah Haberstroh, Cassidy Kettleman and Alex Cooper as well as Parker herself. Haberstroh and Cooper reached base with a walk, and Cassidy Kettleman reached with a quality bunt.
Parker rewarded her teammates for their patience at the plate to the maximum possible degree, and supplied the swing that served as the difference on the scoreboard in the process. In the end, Indiana won by three runs, with half of its scoring taking place through that swing alone.
Even with the grand slam, Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton thought her team could have capitalized on more scoring chances.
“You have seven walks and five stolen bases,” Stanton said, “you probably should have 12 runs today.”
One example of a missed opportunity to score runs was the fifth inning on Friday. Ellie Goins, pinch runner Jada Ellison, Cassidy Kettleman and Aly VanBrandt combined for three walks and three stolen bases. The bases were loaded with the upper section of the batting order due up, but the inning ended with an Alex Cooper fly out before the Hoosiers could plate any runs.
After the game, Stanton spoke on what she felt was missing from the offense’s performance.
“We just kind of missed that clutch big hit today,” Stanton said, “I’d like to see that tomorrow.”
Cooper concurred, and spoke after the game about the next steps towards success for the lineup.
“We’re great hitters,” Cooper said, “and we’ve just got to get our barrels out and have confidence and not question ourselves.”
Whether enough timely hitting was present or not, Indiana again exemplified its patience at the plate and boldness on the base paths, which presents the Hoosiers with opportunities to score runs against any opponent.
Everyone in the Indiana lineup is willing to stand and watch four pitches land outside the zone in order to walk to first base and maximize the impact of the next plate appearance, even if it means relinquishing the glory of a hit of their own. Many of Indiana’s baserunners are equally unafraid to swipe 60 feet and expedite the scoring operation whenever possible.
Some teams possess the power to send softballs over the fence, but not the incremental offense required to heighten the impact of those major swings. Some possess the opposite skillset, planting plenty of runners on base, but stranding far too many of them without the timely hitting necessary to drive in runs.
Indiana, at many points this season, has had both, which is in part why it has scored more runs this season than anyone in the Big Ten not named UCLA. The Hoosiers were slow to stow away the Fighting Illini on Friday, but have two more opportunities to flex its offensive muscles before the regular season comes to a close on Sunday.
Indiana and Illinois return to Andy Mohr Field on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. If Indiana is to win, the foundation laid by the lineup with patience at the plate and boldness on the base paths may be crucial, especially if power hitting is not present.
