After two weeks on the road, Indiana returned to Andy Mohr Field on Wednesday night and showed out in dominant fashion. The Hoosiers run-ruled Ball State 14-1 in five innings to close out their non-conference schedule 22-5 and improve their overall record to 30-13.
Indiana’s ace shined
Senior Brianna Copeland has been Indiana’s ace pitcher for the past three seasons. On Wednesday, she showed why.
In the 4.1 innings of work, Copeland did not give up a run or a walk. It was No. 16’s first start of the season where she did not give up a walk.
If Copeland can pitch like she did against the Cardinals, the Hoosiers can give the No. 5 Oregon Ducks a fight this weekend.
Hoosiers dominated from the get-go
Copeland showed why she is one of the best two-way players in the nation Wednesday by hitting a homer in Indiana’s first at-bat of the game. The Hoosiers did not stop there; they scored four runs in the first inning. Indiana added another three runs in the top of the second, one in the third, and six in the fourth.
The Hoosiers forced Ball State’s ace pitcher, Ella Whitney, out of the game before she could pitch a full two innings. What makes Indiana’s performance against Whitney even more impressive is she was second in ERA (2.55) in the Mid-American Conference coming into the game.
IU forced the Cardinals to use three different pitchers in the game. It did not matter who Ball State threw at the Hoosiers; Indiana had them timed up and scored 14 total runs on the night.
When an offense like Indiana’s hits .556 (15-for-27) on the night and racks up 15 hits in four innings, it is easy to see why they lead the nation in so many offensive categories, including batting average, on-base percentage and doubles per game.
IU’s fielding was on point
At times this season, the Hoosiers’ fielding has hurt them, but Wednesday, they were locked in. Indiana fielded perfectly in this game and even got a double play.
Having a locked-in Copeland at pitcher, it was evident she calmed everyone else on defense.
If Indiana wants to be successful against quality opponents and make it to the NCAA tournament, fielding is one of the key aspects the Hoosiers need in their last six regular-season games.
