INDIANAPOLIS – Dialing up much of the same formula that paved their way to victory the day before, the IUPUI softball team (13-17, 3-0) completed the sweep of South Dakota State (13-21, 0-3) Saturday afternoon (March 25) by dispatching of the Jackrabbits 5-2 to go perfect in their opening weekend of Summit League play.
 
Nickole Finch returned to the circle to cap off a magnificent weekend, getting the win after throwing a complete game on eight hits, allowing two earned runs while striking out five.  The outing caps a 3-0 weekend for the lefty, as she tossed 17 total innings while surrendering just three earned runs and striking out 12.  She improved to 9-7 for the year and lowered her ERA 4.38 through 108.2 innings of work. 
 
The middle of the lineup provided all of the fireworks for the Jags, as senior Roni Patterson led the way with a 2-for-3 day, knocking a double and plating two RBIs.  She hit .600 for the weekend and raised her season average to .333 and is now just 19 hits behind the all-time career record at IUPUI.  Mandy Dallas thrived in an opportunity to start at the designated player position, going 2-for-3 out of the No. 6 spot in the lineup with a triple and an RBI.  Kristin London hit her second homerun in as many days, while Maggie Good went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. 
 
Similar to the day before, the Jags saw the Jackrabbits strike first, as South Dakota State got to Finch for two runs in the first inning.  Four hits yielded the damage, as the junior pitcher was able to get a strikeout and an eventual ground ball to end the frame.  In the third inning, IUPUI was able to get one back, as London led off the inning with a solo homerun to make it a 1-3 ball game. 
 
Most of the Jags offense came in the fourth, as a hit-by-pitch to the leadoff batter Taylor Chitwood put a runner on with no outs.  Good singled to make it first and second, as Patterson came through with a single to score the lead runner.  The play continued on a misplayed ball by the center fielder, allowing Good to come home and Patterson to advance to third.  After a pitching change, Dallas uncorked a triple on the first pitch she saw, ripping the ball down the right field line and scoring the run from third.  She was held off the scoreboard on an unfortunate fielder's choice play that led to two outs.
 
After Good reached base on an error by the third baseman, Patterson doubled to left center to bring home the run.  The Jags' backstop was thrown out on the backend of the play trying to stretch it to three bases.
 
IUPUI didn't need any more offense, as Finch found her groove and carved through the South Dakota State lineup the rest of the way.  Currently, Patterson has the highest batting average in Jaguars' lore with a .344 clip, also leading in slugging (.614) and on-base (.422). 
 
The Jags will return to action Tuesday (March 28) at home against Butler at 5 p.m. EST.
 
For all the latest in news, scores, highlights, stories, and more, follow IUPUIJags.com.