Indiana’s career home run leader, Avery Parker added to her total (53) with a grand slam in the second inning of Indiana’s 8-5 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini. Parker’s 19th blast of the season turned a 3-3 game into a 7-3 Hoosier lead. The Hoosiers (39-13, 15-7) would hang on to win 8-5.
Parker has been on a hot streak since breaking the program record for home runs in a career. Parker has six home runs in just over a week and took home Big Ten Player of the Week for her performance. The monkey seems to be off Parker’s back after she blew past the home run record.
“I think it’s just sticking to who I am. And you know, my identity as a hitter is to be free and loose, and I know that, you know, when I’m up to bat, I’m the best hitter on the field, and sticking with that, and not putting too much pressure on myself to perform.” Parker told B1G+’s Olivia Pierce after the game.
Parker is not short on confidence at the plate either, and he has shown it over the back half of the season.
“I definitely tightened up mid-season a little bit, but I feel like the confidence has always been there.” Parker said. “We talked about having confidence from preparation and past success. I prepare more than anybody on this team, and I have the past success, so that building up to my senior year, and just I want to finish strong. These are my last games at Andy Moore field, and there’s no reason not to have fun.”
The Hoosiers did not start the game off like a team looking to secure the five-seed (at least) in next weekend’s Big Ten Tournament as Illinois took advantage of an Aly VanBrandt error, which led to a three-run inning capped by a Keirys Click two-run home run.
The Hoosiers would strike back with two runs in the top of the first on a Josie Bird two-run double. IU would just score two, but they were making great contact, and that paid off in the second inning.
Indiana scored five runs in the second inning to break the game open. The Hoosiers tied the game on an Aly VanBrandt RBI groundout before Parker’s big blast knocked in the final four.
The Illini would battle back as Indiana could not take advantage of the base runners that were given to them. IU stranded seven runners on base. Illinois got to within 7-5 with an Eileen Donahue two-run home run to left field.
Bird would pick up her third RBI of the game to give the Hoosiers some cushion in the bottom of the sixth before Taylor Hess closed the game out.
In the circle, the Hoosiers used three pitchers. Freshman Aubree Hooks started and went one inning, allowing three runs (two earned). Ella Trout pitched five innings to earn the win in relief, allowing two runs and four hits. Hess pitched the final inning, striking out one and walking one.
The win moves the Hoosiers back into a tie with Northwestern for fifth in the Big Ten standings. The Hoosiers are set to take on the Illini again on Saturday at 2 pm (BTN+).
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