INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team began conference play in their home opener this weekend. The Jags hosted Cleveland State for a single game on Sunday and fell in nine innings 3-1 then played a doubleheader on Monday falling in both games to the Vikings, 12-9 and 1-0 (8).
Hailey Pop hit a solo home run in Sunday's game and went 2-for-3 in game one of the doubleheader.
On Sunday, the Jags fell to Cleveland State in nine innings, 3-1. IUPUI jumped on the board first in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run over the left field fence from Pop. The Vikings evened the game at 1-1 with a solo homer from Melissa Holzopfel in the top of the sixth inning. In the top of the ninth inning, Sophie Spellman launched a two-run homer to left field to take the 3-1 lead for the Vikings.
Madison Bryant took the loss on the mound giving up three runs on three hits with 10 strikeouts.
Rachael Gregory went 2-for-4 while Pop went 1-for-1 with three walks.
Kendal Calvert also recorded a hit in the game for the Jags.
On Sunday, IUPUI faced the Vikings in a doubleheader. The Jags fell in both games with the Vikings taking the first game 12-9 and the second 1-0 in eight innings.
Game one was heavily affected by errors when the Jags totaled six errors compared to Cleveland State's two. The Vikings tallied six runs on one hit and two errors in the top of the first inning.
IUPUI fought back to cut the lead to three at 6-3 with three runs on one hit and one error in the bottom of the first inning. In the bottom half of the second frame the Jags took the lead with six runs on four hits.
Morgan Gilbert walked to start the inning followed by a bunt single by
Kendal Calvert to place runners on first and second, then Gregory walked to load the bases. Pop hit an RBI single to second to score Gilbert then
Jaida Speth walked to score
Kendal Calvert. With the bases still loaded and only one out,
Mackenzie Myars doubled to left field to score two runs and give the Jags a 7-6 lead.
Jaylin Calvert collected an RBI with a groundout to first and
Kasie Keyes hit an RBI single to extend IUPUI's lead to 9-6.
Cleveland State then tied the game at 9-9 in the top of the third inning with three runs on three hits and three Jaguar errors. The Vikings retook the lead in the top of the fourth frame with two runs on two hits and one error, 11-9. Cleveland State scored one more run in the sixth frame with one run on three hits to seal their lead at 12-9.
Isabelle Waggner took the loss on the mound for the Jags giving up 10 runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts. Pop went 2-for-3 with one RBI while Myars went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Kendal Calvert, Gregory,
Victoria Sivert and Keyes all recorded hits and
Jaylin Calvert added in two RBI in the game one loss.
In game two Cleveland State defeated the Jags 1-0 in a pitcher's duel that went eight innings. An error proved costly for IUPUI as an error allowed the winning run to reach base in the top of the eighth. Aly Packish hit a sacrifice fly to score the winning run for the Vikings.
Bryant took the loss on the mound, throwing her second complete game of the weekend. She gave up three hits and struck out seven batters with only two walks in the 1-0 loss. Gilbert went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases while Myars went 1-for-3 with a double.
Jaylin Calvert also recorded a hit while
Kendal Calvert collected a stolen base in the loss.
IUPUI will return to the diamond on Wednesday (March 16) when they host Eastern Illinois in a doubleheader with game one starting at 2:00 pm.
