When Shonda Stanton took the helm at Indiana softball, she didn't just bring a new playbook — she brought a new mindset. And this season, that mindset has the Hoosiers playing with a mission.
Back in August, Stanton laid out a bold vision for her team: 40 wins and a top-four seed in the Big Ten Tournament. For a program that had made just two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 22 years before her arrival, those numbers might have sounded like a pipe dream. But Stanton never flinched.
"As a coach, I didn't blink an eye," Stanton said. "That was a realistic expectation, and our group went to work on that."
Work they did. The Hoosiers (42-14) have already checked both boxes, earning their fourth straight NCAA regional appearance — a run that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Now, they're headed to Knoxville to compete in Tennessee's regional pod, opening play Friday at 8 p.m. against No. 7 Virginia.
This marks Indiana's third 40-win season in four years, a testament to the culture Stanton has built. The Hoosiers set the tone early, winning 16 of their first 20 games. They swept Illinois, Maryland, and Purdue, took a series at Michigan, and even knocked off NCAA tournament-bound Washington 9-2 in the conference tournament. By season's end, they were one of just four Big Ten teams with 17 or more conference wins, and their 18 home victories tied for second-most in the league.
Individually, three pitchers — Taylor Hess, Aubree Hooks, and Ella Troutt — each racked up more than 10 wins. As a team, the Hoosiers finished second in the Big Ten in hits, runs scored, and OPS, and third in slugging. The numbers tell the story, but Stanton sees something deeper.
"This group was on brand," she said. "They were on mission. They're refreshing."
What makes this run even more impressive is how natural it feels now. For a program that once struggled to find its footing, these regional trips have become second nature. The Hoosiers aren't just happy to be there anymore — they expect to compete.
"When you can just focus on your game prep and not worry about the logistical things," Stanton added, "that's when you know you've built something special."
And for Indiana softball, something special is exactly what's happening.