Hoosiers Now

Indiana Softball Fueled by Freshman Second Baseman Taryn Kern

Indiana softball second baseman Taryn Kern has left a huge mark on the Hoosiers' season, and it's not even over yet. The freshman leads the nation in home runs and her team in batting average as she looks for the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011.

Haley Jordan

Indiana Softball Fueled by Freshman Second Baseman Taryn Kern
Indiana Softball Fueled by Freshman Second Baseman Taryn Kern /

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana softball's freshman second baseman Taryn Kern is one of those young talents that stumbles upon a program and changes it for seasons to come.

The San Jose, Calif. native not only leads the Hoosiers with a .423 batting average in 130 at-bats starting all 52 games, but she leads the nation tied with Louisville's Taylor Roby in home runs with 21 on the season — and she's still going.

The Hoosiers went on a record-breaking win streak this season tallying 23 victories until a 6-5 loss versus Minnesota on April 8. The streak might have ended, but Kern had a great moment in the spotlight as the freshman broke the program's single-season homer record recording her 17th of the season in the top of the fifth inning.

The last athlete to accomplish this was former Indiana Hall of Famer and Olympian Michelle Venturella back in 1994. 

The young star leads the Big Ten in slugging percentage (.992), on base percentage (.595), OPS (1.587), RBIs (62) and walks (39). Her efforts are being recognized by the Big Ten as she's the current Big Ten Freshman of the Week fresh off the same honor last week. She's now won the award five times this season.

Not only is Kern a phenomenal hitter, but her work at second base goes beyond the field. She literally ended up in the dugout once to catch a ball and fell down the stairs to make it happen. She reappeared with a smile on her face as if it was a normal play.

Indiana is having its best season since 2011 and holds a 37-15 overall record and 15-5 conference record. Eight players are batting over .300 as the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten with a .321 batting average. 

Up next, Indiana will finish off its regular season with a home series versus Michigan State starting May 5 before playing in the Big Ten Tournament on May 10. Indiana is looking towards its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011 and have all the tools to make it happen including the iron that is Kern to sharpen the rest of the team's iron. 

Related stories on Indiana softball

  • HOW TO WATCH MICHIGAN STATE VS. INDIANA SOFTBALL Here are game details and how to watch Indiana softball's final regular season series versus the Michigan State Spartans beginning Friday, May 5. CLICK HERE
  • INDIANA SOFTBALL STRIVES TO MAKE NCAA TOURNAMENT The Hoosiers haven't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2011 but have all the tools and fight to do so this season. They've earned their best record since that season 12 years ago with one more regular season series left to play. CLICK HERE
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Haley Jordan
HALEY JORDAN

Haley Jordan is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation video director, staff writer, host and reporter for Hoosiers Now, Fastball and Fastbreak sites. She is a graduate from Indiana University with degrees in Sports Broadcast Journalism and Spanish.

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