Wednesday night at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington, Indiana, showcased an intense doubleheader between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Purdue Boilermakers, culminating in a split of victories. Indiana dominated with a 5-1 win in the first game, while Purdue retaliated fiercely in the second game, securing a narrow 6-5 victory.

In Game 1, Purdue gained an early lead with a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first inning courtesy of an RBI single by Moriah Polar. However, Indiana quickly responded with a powerful offensive surge in the bottom of the first. Juniors Taylor Minnick and Sarah Stone delivered RBI doubles, propelling Indiana ahead with a 3-1 lead. Freshman Aly VanBrandt and Stone executed a double steal to extend Indiana’s lead to 4-1. Senior Brooke Benson contributed crucial insurance runs with RBI sacrifice flies in the fourth and sixth innings, securing Indiana’s commanding 5-1 victory. Indiana’s pitching and defense limited Purdue to just two hits throughout the game.

Game 2 witnessed a back-and-forth battle, with both teams displaying offensive prowess. Sophomore Avery Parker’s home run gave Indiana an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. Purdue quickly responded, taking a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Indiana surged ahead again with a Stone home run, reclaiming a 3-2 lead. The game continued to seesaw, with Purdue tying the score in the fifth inning, only for Indiana to regain the lead with Parker’s second home run, making it 5-4. However, Purdue rallied in the final innings, seizing a 6-5 victory with a decisive run in the seventh.

With the split in games, Indiana’s season record now stands at 31-13 overall, with a 7-7 mark in Big Ten play. The stage is set for their upcoming series against the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa, with a 6 pm start time.

Photo Gallery: Indiana vs Purdue Softball