The Indiana Hoosiers and Loyola-Chicago Ramblers were locked in a back-and-forth battle on Tuesday afternoon at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington before the Hoosiers pulled away for the 14-6 win behind Aly VanBrandt’s three home runs and seven runs batted in.
The junior finished the day with four hits including the three home runs. VanBrant drew the praise of head coach Shonda Stanton after the game the work she put in.
“She’s done an incredible job. That’s return on her investment in every area. I don’t care who you talk to, dietitian, strength coach, trainer. She 10 out of 10. Gold Standard.” Stanton said.
VanBrant was locked in and focused on staying behind the ball at the plate.
“I was mostly focused on hitting the ball with my legs, a lot of times, they had a little bit of slower pitching. So I was kind of getting out in front of it.” VanBrandt said.
The midweek matchup started in stunning fashion as Alli Pawlowicz took Jasmine Reyes’ first pitch over the left center field wall for a 1-0 lead. The Ramblers would extend their lead to 4-0 with three runs in the second inning.
Reyes only lasted 1.1 innings and was tagged with four earned runs on four hits. Ella Troutt came in relief with one out in the second and two runners on. Troutt struck out the first batter before surrendering a two-run double to Nat Lesnicki.
The Hoosiers would settle in at the plate and in the circle in the middle of the game. The Hoosiers scored three runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 6-4 lead. The Ramblers would tie the score at six in the top of the fifth with two runs off Trout.
IU broke open the game with key two-out hitting in the bottom of the fifth spurring a six-run inning. In the sixth IU scored all six of their runs with two outs and finished 6-11 hitting with two down in the game.
VanBrant’s big day continued, and ultimately ended the game, when she hit a two-run home run that grazed the top of the right field wall.
NOTABLES
• Aly VanBrandt’s three home runs is a career high and also tied the program’s single game record. The last Hoosier to hit three home runs in a game was Brianna Copeland at Ohio State (March 31, 2025).
• VanBrandt’s seven RBI in the game also tied the program’s single-game record. VanBrandt had seven RBI in the team’s win over Portland State earlier this season (Feb. 13).
• VanBrandt leads the team in home runs after her performance tonight, putting herself at nine on the season.
• Aubree Hooks’ win puts her season record at 5-0 for the freshman.
• Three Hoosiers had multiple RBI on the day: VanBrandt (7), Parker (2), Bird (3).
• Indiana has won three games in a row dating back to the Saturday (March 7) won over Minnesota in their Big Ten opening series.