Kern Sets Single-Season Home Run Record, No. 18/RV Hoosiers Defeat Gophers in Game One, 9-3

Friday, April 7

Minneapolis, MN

6:00 P.M.

Indiana University

30-9, 0

Minnesota

21-15, 0

Indiana

Minnesota

Kern Sets Single-Season Home Run Record, No. 18/RV Hoosiers Defeat Gophers in Game One, 9-3

4/7/2023 9:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Taryn Kern Postgame

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Freshman Taryn Kern hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning to break the single-season record and help lead the No. 18/RV Indiana Hoosiers (30-9, 9-0 B1G) past the Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-15, 2-5 B1G), 9-3, at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on Friday evening.

INDIANA 9, MINNESOTA 3
KEY MOMENTS
• It was a slow start for both teams as the defenses battled it out until sophomore pitcher Brianna Copeland hit a deep home run into center field for the lead in the top of the fourth inning.
• Minnesota would even the ball game with on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the inning.
• In the top of the fifth, Indiana sophomore Kinsey Mitchell earned a base hit on a bunt before senior Cora Bassett hit one between the gap in right center, advancing Kinsey to third.
• Kern would make history in her next at bat as she hit her 17^th career home run for three RBI, 4-1.
• The momentum was contagious as sophomore Taylor Minnick stepped up to the plate hitting a bomb to left center field to extend the lead.
• The Gophers added two runs to cut the lead, 5-3, to end the fifth.
• IU's bats were on fire to start the sixth as they scored three runs on four hits from Copeland, freshman Avery Parker, Mitchell and Bassett, 8-3, before shutting down UM on the defensive end.
• In the top of the seventh, freshman pinch runner Elle Smith added Indiana's last run capitalizing on a passed ball by the Gophers as Indiana extended their win streak to 23.

NOTABLES
• Indiana improves to 30-9 on the season and 9-0 in conference play as they lead the Big Ten and remain the only undefeated team.
• The win over UM extends the record-breaking win streak to 23 wins.
• Kern hit her 17^th career bomb to break the single-season home run record that was set by IU Hall of Famer and Olympian Michelle Venturella in 1994.
• Kern also leads Big Ten in home runs (17) and RBI (47) and NCAA in home runs.
• Copeland holds a 14-0 record inside the circle after tallying eight strikeouts against the Gophers.
• IU outhit UM 10-6 and totaled eight RBI on the evening.
• Junior Brooke Benson rests on top of the conference leaderboard in assists with 104 after she totaled a team-high of four against UM.

UP NEXT
Indiana will return to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium for game two against the Gophers. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET.

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