Indiana University Athletics

Three Hoosiers Earn Big Ten Honors
5/8/2026 12:00:00 PM | Softball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. ––– The Big Ten Conference announced their 2026 softball postseason honors on Friday afternoon and three Hoosiers were recognized.
Alex Cooper, Madalyn Strader and Aly VanBrandt were all named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
VanBrandt was also named a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner.
Cooper is hitting .373 at the plate as the team's everyday shortstop. She has 63 hits in 2026 with 19 doubles, six triples and eight home runs to go along with 48 RBI. Cooper has also drawn 34 walks and has 14 stolen bases.
Strader owns a .329 batting average on the year playing third base all season. She has 47 hits, nine doubles, a triple and seven home runs with 35 RBI. Strader has drawn 25 walks and has notched 11 stolen bases.
VanBrandt, the Hoosiers' second baseman is hitting .405 at the plate. She has 75 hits, 15 doubles, seven triples and 15 home runs to go along with 61 RBI. VanBrandt has drawn 28 walks and has 24 stolen bases.
FULL LIST OF INDIANA'S BIG TEN HONORS
All-Big Ten Second Team
Alex Cooper | Junior | Infielder | Mooresville, Ind.
All-Big Ten Second Team
Madalyn Strader | Sophomore | Infielder | Cedar Park, Texas
All-Big Ten Second Team
Aly VanBrandt | Junior | Infielder | Ottawa Lake, Mich.
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Aly VanBrandt | Junior | Infielder | Ottawa Lake, Mich.
Alex Cooper, Madalyn Strader and Aly VanBrandt were all named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
VanBrandt was also named a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner.
Cooper is hitting .373 at the plate as the team's everyday shortstop. She has 63 hits in 2026 with 19 doubles, six triples and eight home runs to go along with 48 RBI. Cooper has also drawn 34 walks and has 14 stolen bases.
Strader owns a .329 batting average on the year playing third base all season. She has 47 hits, nine doubles, a triple and seven home runs with 35 RBI. Strader has drawn 25 walks and has notched 11 stolen bases.
VanBrandt, the Hoosiers' second baseman is hitting .405 at the plate. She has 75 hits, 15 doubles, seven triples and 15 home runs to go along with 61 RBI. VanBrandt has drawn 28 walks and has 24 stolen bases.
FULL LIST OF INDIANA'S BIG TEN HONORS
All-Big Ten Second Team
Alex Cooper | Junior | Infielder | Mooresville, Ind.
All-Big Ten Second Team
Madalyn Strader | Sophomore | Infielder | Cedar Park, Texas
All-Big Ten Second Team
Aly VanBrandt | Junior | Infielder | Ottawa Lake, Mich.
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Aly VanBrandt | Junior | Infielder | Ottawa Lake, Mich.
Players Mentioned
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Sunday, May 18
SB: 5-16-25 Postgame Press Conference
Friday, May 16
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Thursday, May 15
NCAA Columbia Regional Day 2 Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, May 18




