AUBURN, Ala. – A couple of big innings doomed IUPUI in its first two games of the season as the Jaguars were swept on the day by Jacksonville to start play at the Tiger Invite on Friday (Feb.26). The Jags lost the first game 12-0 in five innings before falling 8-2 in the second game of the day.
 
Morgan Gilbert finished the day with three hits, including two in the second game. Jordan Barnes tallied two hits in the first game of the day for IUPUI (0-2).
 
Jacksonville 12 – IUPUI 0 F/5
 
In the first game of the season for the Jags, a tough start doomed IUPUI. Jacksonville jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the first inning and IUPUI could not find its way on the board, falling 12-0 to the Dolphins.
 
After falling behind, IUPUI loaded the bases after back-to-back singles by Jordan Barnes and Rachael Gregory but a line out and ground out left the bases loaded and kept the Jags scoreless.
 
Brooke York, who entered the game in the top of the first with two outs, allowed two runs in the top of the second but stranded two runners on to end the inning.
 
Jaylin Calvert started off the third inning with a single and moved to second on a single by Barnes but a strikeout and double play thwarted another chance for IUPUI to get back in to the game.
 
Jaida Speth's single in the bottom of the fifth would be the only other baserunner for the Jags in the game as Jacksonville closed out the contest in five innings.
 
Jennah Speth (0-1) picked up the loss in her first start for the Jags. York performed well in relief in her first collegiate appearance, giving up four runs with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.
 
Jacksonville 8 – IUPUI 2
 
The second game of the day against the Dolphins started out well for the Jags as IUPUI took a quick 1-0 lead. A single, a walk and an error on Jacksonville loaded the bases. Jennah Speth picked up her first RBI of the game with a full count walk to make it 1-0. IUPUI was not able to bring any more runners across after a groundout and a fly out ended the inning.
 
Lexi Lucas (0-1) was cruising through the first three innings, not allowing a base runner, but the third pitch of the fourth inning, Lucas gave up a solo home run to knot the game 1-1. Two singles and an error led to a steal of home before another home run pushed the lead to 4-1. After Jacksonville put two more runners on, Speth entered the game and got the next two outs before allowing any more damage.
 
Hailey Pop started the fourth inning with a walk and Abbey Haas delivered a double for her first-career hit to move Pop to third. After a ground out, another error by the Dolphins loaded the bases and Youngblood reached on an infield single to bring home IUPUI's second run of the day. IUPUI was unable to cut in to the lead any more with a pop up and flyout to end the inning.
 
Jacksonville broke open the game in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of three IUPUI errors.
 
The Jaguars managed a walk in both the six and seventh innings but were not able to produce any more offense in the game.
 
UP NEXT
 
IUPUI will continue play at the Tiger Invite, taking on the host Auburn Tigers for two games on Saturday (Feb. 27) beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.