FORT MYERS, Fla. – Perhaps a symbolic performance serving as an indication that this team has turned a page, the IUPUI softball team (10-17) capped their near-perfect weekend with a 9-1 victory over Cleveland State (2-24) Saturday evening (March 18), getting contributions from across the board in a total team effort. Pitching was stellar yet again as the offense came alive in a six inning, run-rule victory.
Continuing the theme of the weekend,
Nickole Finch was dominant yet again in the circle, going the distance in a six inning performance. The lefty gave up just four hits and one earned run, allowing three walks while striking out three. The top of the order for the Jags went above and beyond the catalyst, table-setting duties of the No. 1 and 2 spots, as
Alyssa Matson went 3-for-3 with three runs and an RBI.
Delilah Wright was 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs, while cleanup hitter
Maggie Good 2-for-3 with two RBIs. The Jags had three extra-base hits in the game.
Two singles in the first inning plated a run for the Vikings, as the Jags looked to respond immediately. In the bottom half of the inning, Matson started things off with a single to center field. Playing exemplary small ball, Matson went station to station on a ground ball and a fly out, advancing to third on a pair of outs. That's when Good came to the plate and uncorked a double to left field, scoring the leadoff runner.
The Jags generated instant offense in the bottom of the third inning, as
McKenzie Loge came through with a leadoff triple to immediately put a runner in scoring position. It didn't take long, as Matson clubbed a sacrifice fly to center field, giving IUPUI a lead. Wright and
Taylor Chitwood hit back-to-back singles to give the Jags runners at the corners with only one away, as both came home to score on one of the wildest plays of the day. With Good batting, the senior drove in a run with a single to the left side. An error by the shortstop pushed her all the way to third base as Chitwood came in to score, followed by an error from the catcher that brought her all the way home. The series of events gave the Jags a 5-1 lead.
After
Kristin London walked with one out in the bottom of the fifth, Matson doubled down the right field line, putting runners at second and third base. An infield single by Wright scored the first run, and aggressive base running by Matson with two outs allowed her to cross home plate on the throw.
IUPUI again broke through in the sixth inning, as a walk by London set the table for Matson. The senior second baseman knocked a single to right centerfield, as London came home to score on a throwing error by the right fielder. Matson moved all the way to third base on the play. Wright then followed with a single to the left side, as Matson scored the final run in an abbreviated, run-rule outing.
With the victory, the Jags cap a 4-1 showing at the Battle at the Beach, and will return to Indianapolis for their official home opener of the season. The Jags will play South Dakota State Saturday (March 25) at noon in a scheduled doubleheader. Admission to IUPUI softball games are free, and all fans are encouraged to bring friends and family alike to the IUPUI softball complex.
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