Indiana Hoosiers (26-7, 7-2) freshman pitcher Aubree Hooks made history on Friday night as she threw her first career no-hitter, as IU knocked off the Detroit Mercy Titans 8-0 in a six-inning run-rule win.
Hooks was perfect through three innings; her only blemish came on a lead-off walk in the fourth inning by Jenna Higgins. Hooks went all six innings with one strikeout. Indiana’s defense was put to work, though, as Hooks induced 12 groundouts and four flyballs.
“My defense worked great, and my catchers work great, and I work a lot with Coach Bell, and so it’s just a big accomplishment.” Hooks said after the game to the Indiana Daily Student’s Connor Banks.
The Hoosiers needed a couple of innings to get the bats going. IU scored its first run in the bottom of the second inning on a Cassidy Kettleman fielder’s choice to the left fielder. The ball hung up just enough so that the runner on second had to hold up.
Indiana broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kettleman knocked in her second run of the game with a bunt single that scored Ellie Goins. Indiana extended the lead to 3-0 when Peyton Drummond scored on an error by the shortstop during a double steal play.
Aly VanBrant continued her torrid season, ripping a triple down the right field line to score Goins and Avery Parker knocked in VanBrant with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Allie Gavin knocked in the sixth Indiana run with a double down the right field line and later scored on a wild pitch to give IU a 7-0 lead after five innings. Madalyn Strader knocked in Navaeh Nash in the sixth to give the Hoosiers an 8-0 run-rule win.
Notables
• Aubree Hooks recorded the first no-hitter of the season for Indiana and the first of her career, giving her a third shutout and a 6th win on the season.
• Madalyn Strader scored her 30th run of the season, becoming the 3rd Hoosier this season to 30 runs.
• Aly VanBrandt recorded her 26th extra-base hit of the season, which is the most on the roster.
• In the bottom of the 5th, the Hoosiers took the national lead in Hit by Pitches with 46, surpassing the UCLA Bruins.
Up Next
Indiana and Detroit Mercy will play the second game of the two-game series tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Andy Mohr Field.