The party started early for the Indiana Hoosiers (41-13, 17-7) as second baseman Aly VanBrandt lit the fuse early with a lead-off home run and kicked off a Senior Day party that saw Indiana sweep Illinois and clinch a first-round bye in next week’s Big Ten Tournament.
VanBrant belted a 1-0 pitch in the bottom of the first inning to give the Hoosiers an early lead. “I’m always motivated to hit the ball.” VanBrandt said after the game. It was her 14th home run of the season.
The Hoosiers would score four more runs in the first inning, including Josie Bird’s three-run home run. Illinois starting pitcher Karley Yergler failed to record an out and allowed four earned runs.
VanBrandt continued her big day with an RBI groundout in the fourth and Ellie Goins knocked in a run with a single in the fifth to put IU up 7-1.
The Hoosiers received stellar pitching from Aubree Hooks, who went 5.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits and a couple of walks. Ella Troutt allowed two earned runs in an inning of relief before Brooke Mannon came on to finish the last 2/3 of an inning.
The Hoosier win, coupled with Washington’s loss at Ohio State, means that Indiana finished fourth in the Big Ten and earned a first-round bye in next week’s Big Ten Tournament.