After surrendering an early three-run deficit, Indiana responded with a statement inning and never looked back, defeating Illinois 8-5 Friday night at Andy Mohr Field.
Illinois wasted no time striking first, capitalizing on an Indiana error in the opening frame. A sacrifice fly from Ellie Haggard plated the game’s first run before Keirys Click launched a two-run home run to center, giving the Illini a quick 3-0 lead.
Indiana answered immediately. Aly VanBrandt and Alex Cooper reached base to set up Josie Bird, who ripped a two-RBI double to left field to cut the deficit to one.
The momentum fully swung in the second inning. After Brooke Mannon singled and advanced into scoring position, Indiana pieced together disciplined at-bats to tie the game at 3-3. With the bases loaded and two outs, Avery Parker delivered the biggest swing of the night, a towering grand slam to right center that blew the game open and gave the Hoosiers a 7-3 advantage.
Parker finished with four RBIs on the night, leading an Indiana offense that produced eight runs on seven hits while drawing seven walks. Bird added three RBIs, while Cooper paced the lineup with two hits and two runs scored.
In the circle, Indiana settled in after the rocky start. Aubree Hooks allowed three runs (two earned) in the first inning before giving way to Ella Troutt, who provided stability across five innings. Troutt allowed just two runs on four hits while earning her 11th win of the season. Taylor Hess closed the door with a scoreless seventh inning.
“Ella (Troutt) was able to be a bridge for us and Hess was able to slam the door shut,” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said. ”But, we have to come out and play better tomorrow.”
Illinois attempted to claw back in the fifth when Eileen Donahue crushed a two-run home run to left, trimming the deficit to 7-5. However, Indiana’s pitching staff limited further damage, stranding runners and forcing weak contact in key moments.
The Hoosiers added an insurance run in the sixth without recording a hit. After Parker was hit by a pitch, Peyton Drummond entered as a pinch runner, stole second, and advanced to third on an error before scoring on Bird’s RBI groundout.
Indiana’s aggressive baserunning also played a key role, tallying multiple stolen bases from Drummond, Jada Ellison, Mannon and Cassidy Kettleman to consistently pressure Illinois defensively.
Despite being outhit just 7-5, Indiana capitalized on timely hitting and free passes to secure the win, improving to 39-13 overall and 15-7 in The Big Ten.
With the series opener in hand, the Hoosiers will look to carry that momentum into the remainder of the weekend set against Illinois.
