LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Playing in a shortened weekend from its originally scheduled lineup, the IUPUI softball team (6-16) split its only day at the Louisville Softball Classic Friday (March 10), defeating Northern Iowa (11-9) in the nightcap 6-3 after falling to host Louisville (14-7) 2-7 earlier. The win against the Panthers gives head coach
Heather Tarter a big victory against the school she spent a pair of seasons playing for.
Getting a heroic effort from the middle of the lineup, the Jags saw the three, four and five spots combine to hit 11-for-21 on the day.
Maggie Good continued to swing a sizzling bat, as the first baseman went 3-for-6 with two homeruns against the Panthers, plating three runs on the day.
Taylor Chitwood went 5-for-9 out of the three-spot, knocking a double while picking up six total bases.
Roni Patterson went 3-for-6 with a solo homerun and three RBIs.
Nickole Finch continues to round into form, as the leftie tossed a complete game victory in game two. In total, Finch threw 10.1 innings on the day, surrendering five earned runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts.
The Jags got off to a hot start against the Panthers, as leadoff hitter and catalyst
Alyssa Matson singled to left field to begin the contest. She then stole second base, setting the stage for Good's first round-tripper of the night with a two-run shot to right field, as IUPUI climbed to a 2-0 lead. After a walk to Patterson,
Maggie Armstrong singled to right field, pushing the lead runner to third base on the play. A walk to
Kristin London loaded the bases, as
Delaney Thompson worked out a run-scoring walk to add another run to the board.
After surrendering a run in the bottom of the inning, the Jags went back to work in the second frame. Matson reached base on a hit-by-pitch, soon followed by a single from Chitwood and a walk to Good. With the bases loaded, Patterson hit a sac fly to left field, bringing Matson in to score. A hit-by-pitch to Armstrong loaded the bases once again, but the Panthers tight-roped out of a big inning, as they forced the next batter to ground out.
With UNI getting a run back in the bottom of the fourth, Thompson singled to start the fifth inning, then moved into scoring position on a walk to
McKenzie Loge. An error loaded the bases, as a fielder's choice by
Delilah Wright brought home the freshman infielder.
Adding on to what had already been a sweet day for the Jaguar offense, Good went yard in the top of the sixth inning, swatting a solo shot to left center field as IUPUI built an insurmountable lead for the Panthers. Finch would continue to pitch efficiently, as the Jags closed the door on a late rally attempt to pick up the 6-3 victory.
Day two of the Louisville Softball Classic has been cancelled due to inclement weather, as the Jags will forego their contests against Ohio and Wright State. IUPUI will be back in action in Florida, as the team will take part in the Florida Gulf Coast Invite in Fort Myers March 16-18.
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