Indiana University Athletics
Home Matters -- In-State Recruiting Boosts Hoosier Softball
5/3/2024 12:00:00 PM | Softball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– Why an Indiana Hoosier? It seems a simple question, but it's not, at least, it wasn't then, in the context of the moment half a decade ago when Taylor Minnick weighed her college softball options.
She was a superstar at Edgewood High School, just outside of Bloomington in Ellettsville, putting up cartoonish numbers -- career totals of 129 runs batted in, 35 doubles and 27 home runs along with a .536 average -- to draw national attention. Scholarship offers were everywhere. She was so good so early, Tennessee offered her before she reached high school.
And yet …
Why a Hoosier? IU was building something special under coach Shonda Stanton, but it was not a powerhouse. Many of the nation's best programs wanted Minnick, who had been recruited by the previous Hoosier coaching staff and wasn't interested.
Stanton and her staff arrived in 2017 with a fresh hit homers-and-steal-bases approach, intriguing energy and relentless optimism. Suddenly, for Minnick, interest surfaced. Commitment followed.
Why a Hoosier?
Why not?
"It was the coaching staff," Minnick says. "They got here, and it caught my eye. Being so close to home and able to play right down the street, that's really cool. Not many people get to say they can play this close to home. That's special."
Special is a key selling point for Stanton, who has built a up-and-coming program -- it is 36-15 entering this weekend's regular-season-ending series at Big Ten leader Northwestern as a follow up to last year's 44-victory, NCAA tourney qualifying squad -- with a strong in-state foundation. She made it a top recruiting priority upon arrival in Bloomington after successful stops at IUPU-Indianapolis and Marshall.
"When I got here, we weren't able to get into the room with some of those top kids in Indiana," Stanton says. "They were leaving the state for other programs.
"Now, we're getting in the room. We're able to make those offers. My staff has done a good job of working hard and building those relationships within the state, the travel organizations and high school coaches."
Minnick, a junior outfielder hitting .381 with 10 home runs and 51 runs batted in, is one of 10 in-state players on IU's roster. The others include shortstop Brooke Benson from Fishers High School outside of Indianapolis, utility player Cora Bassett from Castle High School, infielder Alex Cooper from Mooresville High School, outfielder Kinsey Mitchell from New Palestine High School, catcher Avery Parker from Westfield High School, infielder Sarah Stone from Bedford North-Lawrence, centerfielder Aaliyah Andrews from Leo High School, pitcher Sophie Kleiman from Evansville Mater Dei High School and catcher Savannah Oden of Brown County High School.
It's contagious, you see, if you win the right way, if you emphasize chemistry and family values, and if that sounds like a cliché, it doesn't make it any less true.
That Minnick chose the Hoosiers speaks as much about team atmosphere and culture as it does wins and losses.
"It shows when you look at Taylor Minnick," Stanton says. "She was so heavily recruited. She could have gone anywhere but decided to stay home. It speaks volumes to be able to have your family close. To have family at every home game is incredible."
Consider Benson, who was rated as the nation's best high school shortstop for 2018 and '19. She set multiple Fishers' program records, including single season batting average (.542).
The Hoosier connection was already strong given her parents, David and Sarah, were IU grads.
"I grew up going to Indiana games in all sports," Benson says. "I would see (my parents) wearing the Cream 'n Crimson. I've always dreamed of coming here, and carrying on the tradition."
As a Hoosier, Benson has hit 17 career home runs and driven in 87 runs while scoring 108. She hit .341 as a sophomore and is hitting .302 this season, while playing the best defense of her career.
Why is she a Hoosier?
"I love the coaching staff."
Kleiman, a sophomore who has emerged as a pitching standout this season (13-4, 2.54 earned run average), chose the Hoosiers "because it was a program on the rise."
"I could be a big part of that, play a big role and help us have great winning seasons."
Beyond the softball draw, Stanton says, "It's the education you're getting at IU. It's being part of the Big Ten. There are so many things to consider when you look at playing at the next level. Indiana provides the opportunity to play at a high level. We're a player development program. Kids develop. It's transformational -- you see the growth not only as players, but as young women."
It helps that the state of Indiana produces strong softball players and teams. Three of the best programs are relatively close to IU with Center Grove (seven state titles), New Palestine (six) and Indianapolis Roncalli (five).
The Hoosiers put their in-state talent to heavy use. They have had games this season in which seven of the nine starters were from Indiana, and eight of nine defensively.
"They're key contributors," Stanton says. "All of them up and down the lineup."
Beyond performance, in-state recruiting success has boosted attendance at Andy Mohr Field.
"It puts butts in the seats," Stanton says. "The crowds are energized. There's so much pride when you have the opportunity to represent your flagship school. Our kids take great pride in that."
Because in-state recruiting alone isn't enough to compete at the highest level, Stanton and her staff of associate head coach Chanda Bell and assistant coaches Kendra Kirkhoff and Gabbi Jenkins also target players in the Midwest and the rest of the country.
"We fill the roster with players from the East Coast to the West Coast," Stanton says. "Wherever you can get the best athletes."
Don't underestimate the players' recruiting power. Stanton doesn't.
"Coach has always told us we're the biggest recruiters on the team," Minnick says. "We hang out with recruits during their visits. We talk to them about the program and the coaches."
It's working. In the Big Ten standings, IU is 11-9 and in sixth place, but is just a game out of third. A strong showing at Northwestern (31-9 overall, 17-2 in the Big Ten) would boost their conference tourney seed and NCAA tourney prospects.
"Since my freshman class has gotten here," Minnick says, "we've built the standard that we want. We keep one-upping that standard."
Why a Hoosier?
Why not?
