After Indiana built a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning, it surrendered one run in four of the final five innings to drop its Thursday night opener, 4-3, to FIU.
The Hoosiers own an 0-1 record after day one at the Felsberg Invitational.
FIU 4, INDIANA 3
KEY MOMENTS
• Indiana hit well out of the gates with redshirt junior Melina Wilkison hitting a double to the center field wall in the game’s first at bat.
• The Hoosiers got on the board first when junior Avery Parker doubled to right center in the top of the third and brought Brianna CopelandTaylor Minnick home to make it a 2-0 game.
• FIU added a run to make it 2-1 in the bottom of the third when Kendall Catherwood brought Kally Meredith home on a groundout to short.
• FIU evened the score on an RBI single to left field from Collier Peaden, scoring Janelle Martinez.
• It wouldn’t take long for Indiana to take the lead back, going ahead in the top of the fifth. Senior Sarah Stone hit a line drive up the middle to score Melina Wilkison and put Indiana up 3-2.
• FIU would tie the game again in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Martinez. Lindsey Burroughs would score on the play to make it 3-3.
• With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Janelle Martinez hit a chopper to third. Indiana’s Alex Cooper threw out lead runner at home, but a wild throw followed, allowing Martinez to reach on first and Kennedy Byrd to score to win the game for the Golden Panthers.
NOTABLES
• Brianna Copeland threw five strikeouts.
• Indiana had eight total hits with seven different Hoosiers recording at least one.
• Three Hoosiers recorded a double: Melina Wilkison, Avery Parker and Aly VanBrandt.
• Freshmen Josie Bird and Madalyn Strader made their first collegiate starts for the Hoosiers as Bird was the designated player and Strader played shortstop.
• Freshman Peyton Drummond made her first career appearance for the Hoosiers when she pinch ran in the top of the seventh inning.
UP NEXT
Indiana will be back in action for the second game of the weekend tomorrow at 3 PM against Stony Brook.
