KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Indiana (43-16) hit three home runs and had 10 total hits as it advanced to the winner’s bracket in a 4-3 victory over Louisville on Friday in the first game of the NCAA Regional.
KEY MOMENTS
Louisville and Indiana each struck in the first, as the Cardinal took the early lead on the first batter of the game with a single shot to center field. For the Hoosiers, Taryn Kern reached base on a hit by pitch, while sophomore outfielder Taylor Minnick advanced her to second on a single up the left side. Sophomore utility Sarah Stone collected her first RBI of the day on a single to left center to give her team a 2-1 lead.
Stone and Briana Copeland went back-to-back for solo home runs in the bottom of the third to increase Indiana’s lead, 4-1.
The Hoosiers had hits in the fourth and as neither team got runs across the plate. Louisville (35-19) made a final push in the sixth and seventh innings with a homer to start off the top of the sixth. After the Cardinal sent another shot to right field to make it a 4-3 game in the seventh, junior pitcher Macy Montgomery came in for relief as she retired the next two batters.
NOTABLES
Copeland went yard for the 14th time this season while earning her 22nd win inside the circle. She tallied five strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched against the Cards.
Montgomery earned her first save of the year in her 28th appearance on the mound.
Stone and Benson led the team offensively going 2-for-3 at bat combining for three RBI.
Stone hit her 11th long ball of the season to leadoff the third inning.
The Hoosiers outhit the cards 10-7.