Indiana University Athletics
Stanton Signs Four to 2023 Recruiting Class
11/14/2022 7:00:00 PM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana softball announced four additions in its 2023 signing class. This class is a very athletic group with a lot of versatility and talent with utility Alex Cooper, infielders Aly VanBrandt and Tristian Thompson and power pitcher Lauren Hardy.
Alex Cooper
UT | Mooresville, Ind. | Mooresville High School
Alex Cooper was named MVP at Mooresville for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. She earned Mid-state All-Conference honors (2021, 2022), Second Team All-State (2021) and First Team All-State (2022).
In 2022, she batted .582 with 63 runs, 57 hits, 64 RBI's, 18 home runs, and stole 24 bases.
At Mooresville High School, Cooper set eight single season records in home runs (18), hits (48 in 2021, 57 in 2022), runs scored (63), RBIs (64), walks (21) and stolen bases (24), pitching wins (16). The Mooresville native also holds the program for most runs scored in a season (98).
Cooper played travel ball for the Indiana Gators and was a part of the 2022 Scenic City All-Tournament team and the 2022 Alliance All-Tournament team.
She was also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball for the Pioneers. The daughter of John and Kimberly, Cooper plans to major in psychology.
Why IU? I chose IU because of the family atmosphere and the beautiful campus.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Alex is one of the most talented players we have had the honor of signing. Her spirited athleticism and elite ability make her an exciting player to watch. Hoosier grown and a five-tool player. We're fired up she's staying home to rep the Indiana script."
Aly VanBrandt
IF | Ottawa Lake, Mich. | Whiteford High School
VanBrandt was named the 2022 Monroe News Player of the Year. She is a two-time First Team All-State shortstop, two-time First Team All- League, Division 4 State Runner Up (2022). The Michigan native also won two back-to-back Conference Championships in 2021 and 2022.
A native of Ottawa Lake, Michigan, VanBrandt holds five school records at Whiteford in hits (78), runs (73), batting average in a single season (.678), stolen bases (40) and career batting average (.660).
She was a member of the Turnin2 18u National Pezzoni travel team. They were JO Cup Champions, PGF Firecracker Champions and made it to two final fours in the USA Gold Championship, and the tier two Alliance nationals.
She was a two-year letterwinner in softball and four years in volleyball. The daughter of Matt and Audra, VanBrandt plans to major in exercise science.
Why IU? The amazing people and program.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Aly is an all-around athlete with a strong arm, quickness and range. Her lefty skill set at the plate makes her an excellent fit for our system. Her determined mindset will be a distinguishing factor in her development at IU. Excited to watch her ball out in the cream and crimson."
Tristian Thompson
IF | Waco, Texas | Midway High School
Tristian Thompson is a three-time First Team All-District Infield, two-time Academic All-District honoree and was named Third Team All-State in 2022.
She was a member of the American Freedom 18u National travel ball team. In her career she has totaled 35 home runs, 122 RBIs and a batting average of .503 at Midway High School.
The Waco, Texas, native is a two-time All-Academic Award recipient and a three-time Academic All-District honoree. She is also a student trainer for the Midway football and basketball teams.
The daughter of Todd and Tamara, Thompson plans to major in exercise science.
Why IU? I chose IU because I wanted to go to college with the feeling that I was at home, and as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew IU was my home away from home.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Tristian swings a big stick with booming power. She has a strong presence and an impressive stature. She had the ability to impact the game with one swing, and it will be entertaining to watch her drop bombs at Andy Mohr Field. Proud she chose to be a Hoosier."
Lauren Hardy
P/UT | Blythewood, S.C. | Blythewood High School
Lauren Hardy was named the 2022 Region 4 Player of the Year, two-time All-State, All-Region, team MVP and Scholar Athlete. She also earned State Newspaper Player of the Week and was named All-Area 2022. Hardy was recognized as a Scholar Athlete in 2021 and 2022.
The Blythewood native, has recorded the second most strikeouts in a single season for Blythewood High School. Hardy is tied for the most home runs in a game, second in career home runs, and third for most strikeouts in a game in program history. As a four-year letterwinner, she ranks second in career home runs.
Hardy is a member of the Lady Dukes National Premier travel team. She won the Children's Healthcare Fastpitch Classic in 2022
The daughter of Barry & Keba, Hardy plans to major in pre-med to become a Dermatologist.
Why IU? I chose IU for the softball culture Coach Stanton and team created at IU. I felt so at home on my visit and could really see myself there for the next 4 years of my life.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Lauren is a pure athlete in the circle with the versatility to be a two-way player. As a power pitcher her combination of speed and spin make her a great addition to our staff. Coach Bell is looking forward to working with and developing her. She has a high sky, and it will be a joy to coach her."
@IndianaSB
For all the latest on Indiana University softball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
Alex Cooper
UT | Mooresville, Ind. | Mooresville High School
Alex Cooper was named MVP at Mooresville for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. She earned Mid-state All-Conference honors (2021, 2022), Second Team All-State (2021) and First Team All-State (2022).
In 2022, she batted .582 with 63 runs, 57 hits, 64 RBI's, 18 home runs, and stole 24 bases.
At Mooresville High School, Cooper set eight single season records in home runs (18), hits (48 in 2021, 57 in 2022), runs scored (63), RBIs (64), walks (21) and stolen bases (24), pitching wins (16). The Mooresville native also holds the program for most runs scored in a season (98).
Cooper played travel ball for the Indiana Gators and was a part of the 2022 Scenic City All-Tournament team and the 2022 Alliance All-Tournament team.
She was also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball for the Pioneers. The daughter of John and Kimberly, Cooper plans to major in psychology.
Why IU? I chose IU because of the family atmosphere and the beautiful campus.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Alex is one of the most talented players we have had the honor of signing. Her spirited athleticism and elite ability make her an exciting player to watch. Hoosier grown and a five-tool player. We're fired up she's staying home to rep the Indiana script."
Aly VanBrandt
IF | Ottawa Lake, Mich. | Whiteford High School
VanBrandt was named the 2022 Monroe News Player of the Year. She is a two-time First Team All-State shortstop, two-time First Team All- League, Division 4 State Runner Up (2022). The Michigan native also won two back-to-back Conference Championships in 2021 and 2022.
A native of Ottawa Lake, Michigan, VanBrandt holds five school records at Whiteford in hits (78), runs (73), batting average in a single season (.678), stolen bases (40) and career batting average (.660).
She was a member of the Turnin2 18u National Pezzoni travel team. They were JO Cup Champions, PGF Firecracker Champions and made it to two final fours in the USA Gold Championship, and the tier two Alliance nationals.
She was a two-year letterwinner in softball and four years in volleyball. The daughter of Matt and Audra, VanBrandt plans to major in exercise science.
Why IU? The amazing people and program.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Aly is an all-around athlete with a strong arm, quickness and range. Her lefty skill set at the plate makes her an excellent fit for our system. Her determined mindset will be a distinguishing factor in her development at IU. Excited to watch her ball out in the cream and crimson."
Tristian Thompson
IF | Waco, Texas | Midway High School
Tristian Thompson is a three-time First Team All-District Infield, two-time Academic All-District honoree and was named Third Team All-State in 2022.
She was a member of the American Freedom 18u National travel ball team. In her career she has totaled 35 home runs, 122 RBIs and a batting average of .503 at Midway High School.
The Waco, Texas, native is a two-time All-Academic Award recipient and a three-time Academic All-District honoree. She is also a student trainer for the Midway football and basketball teams.
The daughter of Todd and Tamara, Thompson plans to major in exercise science.
Why IU? I chose IU because I wanted to go to college with the feeling that I was at home, and as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew IU was my home away from home.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Tristian swings a big stick with booming power. She has a strong presence and an impressive stature. She had the ability to impact the game with one swing, and it will be entertaining to watch her drop bombs at Andy Mohr Field. Proud she chose to be a Hoosier."
Lauren Hardy
P/UT | Blythewood, S.C. | Blythewood High School
Lauren Hardy was named the 2022 Region 4 Player of the Year, two-time All-State, All-Region, team MVP and Scholar Athlete. She also earned State Newspaper Player of the Week and was named All-Area 2022. Hardy was recognized as a Scholar Athlete in 2021 and 2022.
The Blythewood native, has recorded the second most strikeouts in a single season for Blythewood High School. Hardy is tied for the most home runs in a game, second in career home runs, and third for most strikeouts in a game in program history. As a four-year letterwinner, she ranks second in career home runs.
Hardy is a member of the Lady Dukes National Premier travel team. She won the Children's Healthcare Fastpitch Classic in 2022
The daughter of Barry & Keba, Hardy plans to major in pre-med to become a Dermatologist.
Why IU? I chose IU for the softball culture Coach Stanton and team created at IU. I felt so at home on my visit and could really see myself there for the next 4 years of my life.
Head coach Shonda Stanton
"Lauren is a pure athlete in the circle with the versatility to be a two-way player. As a power pitcher her combination of speed and spin make her a great addition to our staff. Coach Bell is looking forward to working with and developing her. She has a high sky, and it will be a joy to coach her."
@IndianaSB
For all the latest on Indiana University softball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
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