The Indiana Hoosiers (16-4, 0-0) open up Big Ten play on Friday at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington as they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-13, 0-0). All three games will be available on BTN+.
The Hoosiers have started the season on a hot streak and are coming off a weekend tournament where they outscored their opponents a whopping 59-3. Getting off to a fast start in conference play is vital for IU who has postseason aspirations.
Indiana Hoosiers 2026 Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Aly VanBrandt .522
Hits: Aly VanBrandt, 35
Home Runs: Avery Parker, 8
RBI: Aly VanBrandt, 27,
Runs: Aly VanBrandt, 30
Stolen Bases: Aly VanBrant, 14
Innings Pitched: Ella Troutt, 30.1
ERA: Aubree Hooks, 1.06
Strike Outs: Taylor Hess, 27
Wins: Aubree Hooks, Taylor Hess, 4
Series at a Glance
Friday, March 6
Time: 6:00 pm
TV: BTN+
Saturday, March 7
Time: 2:00 pm
TV: BTN+
Sunday, March 8
Time: 1:00pm
TV: BTN+
Know the Opponent: Minnesota Golden Gophers
2026 Record: 7-13 (0-0)
RPI: 88 (Entering Friday)
Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Scarlett Kuhn .422
Hits: Scarlett Kuhn, 19
Home Runs: Tara Wolocko, 6
RBI: Tara Wolocko, 16,
Runs: Tara Wolocko, 14
Stolen Bases: Lucy Hooper and Brooklyn Jones, 6
Innings Pitched: Sydney Schwartz, 49.1
ERA: Sydney Schwartz, 3.12
Strike Outs: Sydney Schwartz, 56
Wins: Sydney Schwartz, 4
The Gophers enter the series at 7-13 and at 88 in the RPI. They are 0-4 against Power four opponents and 0-3 against ranked teams (Oklahoma, Grand Canyon and Arizona).
Minnesota struggles at the plate with a team batting average of .254 and a slugging percentage of .396. However, Tara Wolocko and Scarkett Kuhn can do some damage. Wolocko has six homers and 16 runs batted in while Kuhn gets on base nearly half the time she bats. Shutting down Kuhn is vital to stopping the Gopher offense.
The Hoosiers will see a lot of Sydney Schwartz in the circle this weekend. She has four wins and is Minnesota’s go-to pitcher. She has 56 strikeouts to just 22 walks while allowing four home runs and just 11 extra base hits.