CLEVELAND – IUPUI starter
Jennah Speth a perfect game in at least 20 years for the Jags in the second game of the double header against Cleveland State. IUPUI swept the day against the Vikings with a 6-3 win in game one and a 3-0 win in game two.
Speth became the first Jaguar to throw a perfect game since at least 2001. It was the first time IUPUI had not allowed a hit since May 7, 2015.
"Jennah was in the zone attacking batters and working pitch to pitch," said head coach
Elisabeth Beirne. "Both Lexi and Jennah did a great job in the circle commanding their pitches and leading the team."
IUPUI 3 – Cleveland State 0
In the second game of the day, IUPUI got the scoring going in the fourth as
Jordan Barnes walked and moved to second on a passed ball. After a walk, a fielder's choice got Barnes at third for the first out.
Abbey Haas was picked off at second for the second out of the inning but
Hailey Pop kept the inning going with a walk. The Jags run came as
Maicey Bedrick stole home during the next at bat.
IUPUI increased its lead in the sixth with a two-out double by
Jaida Speth that brought home Bedrick. During the next at bat,
Hailey Pop scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.
While the offense did its job, the story of the game was Speth. Speth was in complete control in the perfect game. Speth finished the game with 10 strikeouts, including six through the first three innings. Speth also never faced much worry about allowing walks as she only ended up with four three-ball counts all game.
IUPUI 6 - Cleveland State 3
IUPUI's offense started out slow but it picked up in the late innings of a 6-3 win over Cleveland State to begin its four-game series with the Vikings. The Jags also got six shutout innings from starter
Lexi Lucas, who picked up the complete game win.
Six Jaguars finished with hits in the game, including three from
Rachael Gregory, who finished with her first three-hit game of the season. Gregory and
Jennah Speth each drove in two runs for IUPUI.
After going hitless for the first three innings, IUPUI's offense clicked with
Jordan Barnes singling through the left side to lead off the inning.
Ryleigh Marsh pinch ran for Barnes and stole second before
Maicey Bedrick reached on a fielding error.
Marsh and Bedrick both moved up 60 feet after a passed ball and Gregory delivered the first big hit with a single to left to bring home Marsh. Tori Sivert laid down a bunt in the next at bat and beat the throw to first as Bedrick came across to score to make it 2-0. Sivert picked up a stolen base and after a pop out,
Jaida Speth grounded out to the pitcher. Gregory made the smart play and after the throw to first, took off to home and beat the throw for IUPUI's third run of the game.
As the Jags took the lead, IUPUI was getting another solid performance from Lucas. In both the first, second and fourth innings Cleveland State was able to get two runners on base, but each time Lucas came through and got out of the inning without a run crossing the plate.
In the top of the seventh, IUPUI picked up some much needed insurance. Four-straight singles from
Jaida Speth,
Morgan Gilbert,
Kasie Keyes and
Jennah Speth brought home two runs and forced the Vikings to go to the bullpen.
Keyes was thrown out at home after a ground ball in the next at bat but Gregory singled to second to score IUPUI's sixth run of the game.
IUPUI needed the three runs after Cleveland State had its first two batters reach and after a pop up, hit a three-run home run to cut the Jaguar lead in half. Another pop up put IUPUI one out away from the win but the Vikings kept the game alive with two singles. With the tying run at the plate, a fly ball to Bedrick in left field capped the win for IUPUI.
UP NEXT
IUPUI will take on the Vikings two more times on Sunday (March 21) with the double header beginning at 12 p.m.
