INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team split the Saturday doubleheader with Northern Kentucky losing the first game, 4-1 then rallying to win game two, 6-4.
Maicey Bedrick launched her fourth homer of the season in game two.
In game one, the Jags were defeated by the Norse, 4-1. NKU scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning on three hits to take the early 2-0 lead. They doubled that in the top of the sixth frame with a two-run homer from Kaylee McGinn to extend their lead to 4-0.
IUPUI attempted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth scoring one run.
Rachael Gregory led off the inning with a single up the middle then later scored on a throwing error by the third baseman to cut the lead to three. The Jags were unable to plate another run and fell 4-1.
Gregory went 2-for-3 while
Jaida Speth recorded the third hit for the Jags.
Isabelle Waggner (L, 3-5) took her fifth loss of the season giving up four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.
In game two, NKU jumped out to a four-run lead after scoring four runs on four hits in the top of the fourth inning.
IUPUI rallied in the bottom half of the frame to cut the lead to one at 4-3. Bedrick led the inning off with a solo home run over the center field wall.
Ashley Shelton reached on a fielding error by the Norse shortstop then advanced to second after a single by
Jaida Speth.
Hailey Pop singled to left field to load the bases. Shelton then scored on a pass ball by the catcher followed by a groundout by
Jaylin Calvert to score Speth.
The Jags scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth frame to take the lead, 6-4.
Morgan Gilbert reached after a drop third strike and advanced to third on a single by Bedrick. Gilbert scored on a throwing error by NKU's catcher on a fielder's choice from
Jordan Barnes. Bedrick scored on a wild pitch and
Kasie Keyes, who entered the game as a pinch runner for Barnes, scored on a single by
Jaida Speth to extend their lead to 6-4.
The Norse threatened in the top of the seventh with runners on second and third with one out but
Madison Bryant (W, 5-18) shut down NKU's offense with a strikeout and groundout to end the game, 6-4.
Bedrick went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs.
Jaida Speth went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run while Gregory went 2-for-4 with a double. Bryant picked up her fifth win of the season allowing four runs (all unearned) on seven hits with five strikeouts in seven innings.
The Jags will be back in action when they travel across Indy to face the Butler Bulldogs on Tuesday (April 26) at 4:00 PM.
