Indiana Softball Looks to Finish Season Strong with Eyes on the Postseason

The final series of the regular season has arrived for the Indiana Hoosiers (38-13, 14-7). IU welcomes in the Illinois Fighting Illini (15-36, 3-17) to Andy Mohr Field starting Friday evening. The Hoosiers need two wins to hit their stated goal of 40 wins on the season.

Indiana’s RPI has climbed to 36, and a series win should basically lock up a spot in the Women’s College World Series heading into the Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers are currently tied for fifth in the Big Ten with Northwestern at 14-7 and just one game back of Washington (15-6).

Indiana Hoosiers 2026 Statistical Leaders

Batting Average: Aly VanBrandt .407

Hits: Aly VanBrandt, 70

Home Runs: Avery Parker, 18

RBI: Avery Parker, 59

Runs: Aly VanBrandt, 60

Stolen Bases: Aly VanBrant, 24

Innings Pitched: Ella Troutt, 99

ERA: Aubree Hookst, 2.39

Strike Outs: Taylor Hess, 56

Wins: Troutt, Hess, Hooks, 10

Series at a Glance

Friday, May 1st

Time: 6:00 pm

TV: BTN+

Saturday, May 2nd

Time: 2:00 pm

TV: BTN+

Sunday, May 3rd 

Time: 1:00 pm

TV: BTN+

Know the Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini

2026 Record: 15-36 (3-17)

RPI: 198 (Entering Friday)

• Illinois comes into the week at 14-36 overall and 3-17 in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini got swept versus Penn State in their last Big Ten series.
• The Fighting Illini’s Skylar Brennan (.324) and Adisyn Caryl (.318) are Illinois’ two best hitters. Each of them have eight doubles on the season.
• Abby Sabalaskey and Karley Yergler are the Illini’s two-most consistent arms, each having at least 27 appearances and 50 strikeouts.
• Illinois leads the all-time series versus Indiana, 21-11. Indiana and Illinois have not faced one another since 2022.

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