The Indiana Hoosiers (32-10, 10-5) run-ruled their 18th opponent this season with an 11-1 five inning win over in-state foe Notre Dame. Indiana used an eight-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth to put the game out of reach, highlighted by an Alex Cooper grand slam.
The Hoosiers once again got good pitching from Aubree Hooks and Ella Troutt. Hooks went the first 1.2 innings before being lifted for Troutt who earned her 10th win of the season tossing 3.1 shutout innings.
Early in the game IU used small ball and aggressive base running to force Notre Dame into some mistakes. Josie Bird opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly. After the Fighting Irish tied the score at one on a Tenley Sweet single the Hoosiers went to work.
IU plated two in the bottom of the second thanks to Notre Dame errors. IU broke the 1-1 tie when Brooke Mannon scored on an error by the short stop on a bunt single by Cassidy Kettleman, who ended up on second base. Kettleman then stole third and came home on a throwing error by the Notre Dame catcher.
Indiana catcher Avery Parker nearly made history, but her fly ball off the top of the wall ended up as a triple as she was thrown out trying for the inside-the-park home run.
The Hoosiers offense broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Irish pitching wilted. A walk, a single and two more walks drove in Indiana’s fourth run and true freshman Josie White took a pitch off the shin to drive in IU’s fifth run. Aly VanBrandt struck out with the bases loaded before Alex Cooper ripped a grand slam over the center field wall.
IU was not finished in the fourth. Parker would single before Bird reached on an error on a ball that hit in foul territory and spun back fair. Ellie Goins knocked in Parker for IU’s eighth run of the inning and 11th for the game.
Indiana will hit the road for a non-conference game against ACC foe No. 25 Louisville Wednesday night. The game will be aired on the ACC Network.