EL PASO, Texas – IUPUI softball played in two very different games but ended up falling in both contests in day two of their weekend tournament at UTEP. The Jags lost in five innings to Omaha before losing to UTEP in the nightcap in a tough defeat.
The Jags looked poised pick up the win against UTEP after taking the lead in the top of the seventh but the Miners came back to walk off with a win.
Delaney Thompson had the best day at the plate for the Jaguars, finishing with four hits on the day.
UTEP 6, IUPUI 5
Down by three going in to the top of the seventh, IUPUI staged an impressive comeback. Rachael Gregory got the inning started with a walk and scored on a throwing error after Amber Pagan doubled to left field. The inning continued as Sabrina Trevino was hit by a pitch and Maicey Bedrick stole second after coming in as a pinch hitter. A walk by Delainey Turner loaded the bases and Pagan came across on a sacrifice fly by Jaida Speth.
McKenzie Loge then tied the game with a single up the middle and advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Hailey Pop was the next to step to the plate and delivered with a two RBI single to center and put IUPUI up 5-3.
In the bottom of the frame, UTEP, which finally got to starter Lexi Lucas in the sixth inning, continued to hit the sophomore with back-to-back singles to start the game. Lucas then walked the next batter to load the bases. A single to right brought in the first run and in the next at bat a single up the middle tied the game.
With the bases still loaded, Lucas got a fly to right but the runner at third tagged and beat the throw home to give UTEP the walk off win.
Delaney Thompson led IUPUI with two hits in the game, going 2-for-4 but IUPUI could not get anything going on offense until the final inning and did not pick up a hit until the fourth.
Lucas had been cruising through the first five innings, allowing just three base runners and none making it to second base. In the sixth, Lucas allowed a one-out three-run home run to break the scoreless tie.
OMAHA 17, IUPUI 1 F/5
The first game of the day did not go in IUPUI's favor with the Jags falling to Omaha 17-1 in five innings. IUPUI managed just four hits in the loss as the IUPUI pitching staff struggled against the Mavericks lineup.
Omaha did most of its damage with the long ball, hitting five home runs and logging 16 total hits against three IUPUI pitchers.
After two solo home runs in the top of the first against starter Lexi Lucas (1-3), the Mavericks chased Lucas in the top of the second, scoring two runs on three hits and a walk before Kayana Diederich entered the game. The freshman was met with three RBI singles and a sacrifice fly as Omaha put four more runs on the board. A two-run error by Jaida Speth increased Omaha's lead to 10-0.
IUPUI looked to get back in to the game in the bottom of the inning. Delaney Thompson started things with a single and moved to third on a ground rule double by Rachael Gregory. Following a strikeout, Jordan Barnes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With a great chance at putting some runs on the board, a strike out and a line out left the bases full.
Things did not go much better for Dezirae Leonard in the circle in the third as Omaha hit a two-run and a solo home run against the sophomore.
The Jags lone run came in the bottom of the third as Thompson drove home McKenzie Loge with two outs. Loge had started the inning with a single to right and stole second before a pop out and foul out. Thompson, who finished a perfect 2-for-2 on the day singled to center to bring home Loge.
Omaha increased its lead in the top of the fifth with a three-run home run and an RBI double.
UP NEXT
IUPUI will take on New Mexico State on Sunday (Feb. 23) to finish play for the weekend. First pitch against the Aggies is set for 12:30 p.m.
