It looked like Indiana was dead to rights Wednesday afternoon. After six straight run-rule victories at home, they looked to not only have a competitive game against Southern Indiana but be on the verge of losing.
That was until senior Taylor Minnick stepped into the box with two outs and the bases loaded with Indiana down by three runs.
Minnick crushed a go-ahead grand slam to center field in the sixth inning. Indiana would hang on to win 6-5 over Southern Indiana.
“It’s my first career grand slam,” Minnick said. “I’ve been saying I have wanted to do that all year. It was a great time to do it.”
The Indiana offense had chances throughout the game, but Southern Indiana starter Josie Newman worked around trouble. Newman threw five innings and allowed one run.
In the batter’s box, it seemed like Indiana tried to do too much. They were hunting for the big hit that has come often during the homestand.
“I think where we didn’t do a better job was at times our baserunning,” Indiana head coach Shonda Stanton said. “And at times trying to do too much offensively with the stick.”
The Hoosiers also didn’t help themselves, getting thrown out on the bases a pair of times. One of the hallmarks of Stanton’s teams is their aggressiveness on the bases and the past week they have been extremely successful. Wednesday was a different story as Indiana had one stolen base.
Indiana starting pitcher Janae Berry allowed the first four batters to reach for USI in the second inning, so the Hoosiers turned to their bullpen. Freshman Jasmine Reyes was called on. Reyes not only gave Indiana length but kept them in the game going 4.1 innings pitched and allowing two runs.
“Typically we know we put up eight runs a game,” Stanton said. “Keep us in it (was the message to Reyes). I thought she did that. For a freshman she shows great composure.”
Reyes picked up the win, improving her to 7-2 on the season. Brianna Copeland closed the door on the Screaming Eagles, getting the last five outs.
Stanton’s goal was to have her club at 20 wins before conference play. They now sit at 19-5 and will be riding a seven-game winning streak into Big Ten play.
“Winners find a way to win,” Stanton said. “That’s what great teams do.”
Big Ten play starts with a two-game set against the Iowa Hawkeyes at 6 p.m. Saturday at Andy Mohr Field.
