Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CHICAGO – The IUPUI softball team gave up just one hit in the opener, but that one hit was a two-run home run helping UIC to a 2-0 Game 1 win. However, the Jags used a solo home run in the top of the seventh in Game 2 from Nicole Checkie helping the Jaguars win Game 2, 1-0.

With the split, IUPUI’s record moved to 10-22.

Game 1 – Box Score (.pdf) | Box Score

In the opener, IUPUI received lead-off singles in each of the first two innings, but it could not get a run across.

Meanwhile, Nikki Thomas kept UIC off balance offensively retiring the Flames with relative ease in the first three frames.
However, a two-run, two-out home run from UIC’s Ashley Hewett in the bottom of the fourth placed the Flames on top, 2-0.

In the fifth and sixth innings, Thomas retired the Flames in order giving her offense a chance to get on the board. The Jags put a runner in scoring position in both the sixth and the seventh innings, but IUPUI could not capitalize as it dropped a 2-0 decision in the opener.

Thomas gave up just one hit, the two-run homer to Hewett, while the Jaguars collected three hits – two of which came from Checkie.

Game 2 – Box Score (.pdf) | Box Score

Similar to Game 1, IUPUI had opportunities to score early putting runners on first and second with two outs in the first and loading the bases with two outs in the second, but ground outs ended both threats.

After not having a runner reach second base for the first three innings, Jocelyn Oppenhuis found herself in a little trouble in the fourth as two singles sandwiched around a foul out put runners on first and second with one out. However, Oppenhuis battled out of the jam forcing a fly out and a strike out to send the game into the fifth still tied at zero.

Oppenhuis continued to escape trouble in the fifth, before Emili Escamilla made a relief appearance in the sixth to escape a bases loaded jam. After avoiding damage in those frames, the Jags struck in the seventh.

To lead off the final inning, Checkie delivered a solo home run, the first of her career, to center field placing the Jags on top, 1-0.
Needing three outs to earn the doubleheader split, Samantha Bumbaugh came in to pitch the seventh and retired the first two batters before giving up a double and hitting a batter. Bumbaugh regrouped and forced a pop out to end the game.

Escamilla earned the win and moved to 3-1, while Bumbaugh picked up her first save of the season.

The Jags are back in action on Tuesday, April 3, when they travel to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue at 4 p.m.