INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team hosted Indiana State for their home opener in a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Sycamores defeated the Jags in back-to-back games. Kennedy Cowan hit her third home run of the season in the first game.
 
Indiana State won the first game, 4-1. The Jags jumped on the board first, 1-0, with Cowan's third blast of the season, launching a homer over the left field wall. After five scoreless, in the top of the sixth inning, the Sycamores scored four runs on three hits. The Jags left two runners stranded in the bottom of the seventh inning, unable to push across a run sealing the game at 4-1.
 
Carly Metcalf took the loss on the mound giving up three runs on four hits with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Five Jags recorded hits in the loss with Cowan earning the RBI with her homer. Kendal Calvert, Jordan Jenkins, Jaylin Calvert and Jaida Speth all recorded singles.
 
Game two was a pitcher's dual with the Sycamores once again coming out on top, 2-1. IUPUI pitching struggled with control in the first inning giving up three walks and a wild pitch, giving Indiana State the 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After the first inning both teams defense and pitching locked in.
 
In the fourth inning the Jags cut the lead in half with one run on one hit. Rachel Gregory was hit by pitch to reach base then came around to score on Kasie Keyes single to shortstop.
 
Despite cutting the lead in half, the Jags would not score again with Indiana State's Hailey Griffin earning her first save on the year striking out six batters in three innings.
 
Madison Bryant took the loss for the Jags giving up two runs on no hits with nine strikeouts and four walks in five innings. Cowan went 3-for-3 in game two with a double while Jaida Speth also recorded a double.
 
IUPUI is now 3-14 and will open Horizon League play on Friday when they welcome Oakland for a 3:00 PM first pitch.