GREENVILLE, S.C. – The IUPUI softball team had more success offensively in the second day of the Furman Invitational (racking up a combined 15 hits and eight runs) but fell in walk-off fashion to Lipscomb and in the rematch against Georgetown.
Kinsey Pfeiffer led the way, batting an impressive .666 (4-for-6) with five RBIs.
Kendal Calvert was also outstanding with the bat, going a combined 4-of-7 while adding three runs.
After going down a run to Lipscomb (3-5) in the bottom of the second, IUPUI (1-7) quickly bounced back in the top of the third.
Morgan Gilbert led off the inning with a single and reached second on a steal. A Calvert bunt advanced Gilbert to third, who then scored on a
Paige McPhearson groundout.
Following a hitless fourth frame for both sides, the Jags took the lead in the fifth, scoring with two outs on the board on a Pfeiffer single. However, the Bisons looked poised to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth, quickly putting multiple runners in scoring position. Elle Smith led off with a double to get the ball rolling. After Alyssa Hastings was walked, a sacrifice bunt advanced the two on base. Another bunt saw Smith reach the plate to tie the game at two with just one out. They took the lead shortly after, scoring on a Josey Polk sac fly. With a runner still on third, Jack Busch knocked one through the infield to add to the lead.
Down two runs in the top of the seventh, the Jags were forced into two quick outs by relief pitcher Ryleigh Sapp but a Calvert bunt got her un base and gave the team some hope with McPhearson coming to the plate. She added to her already impressive outing, getting on base with a walk to push Calvert into a scoring position. The heart of the Jaguar lineup continued to perform in primetime, with Pfeiffer recording a two RBI double to square the contest at four.
Lipscomb rallied back in the bottom of the final inning, with Kaylyn Belfield reaching first on a single, stealing second and rounding all the way to the plate on a Smith single to secure the victory.
Game number two started in similar fashion, with IUPUI going down a run early against Gerogetown (4-4), who scored an unearned run in the top of the first. It didn't take long to even the score, with lead off hitter Gilbert making her way around the bases after being walked. Calvert, who reached on a single to right center, also scored to give the team an early lead after a Pfeiffer sacrifice fly.
The Jags, however, didn't hold onto the advantage long, giving up two runs in the following inning. The second frame opened with a solo home run by Samantha Miller that squared the contest. Following a triple by Dayanara Campos, Gabby Park doubled to retake the lead.
Again, the Jags bounced back quickly, tying the match in the bottom of the inning. In just her second at-bat of her young career,
Kalee Roberts was walked and eventually scored on a
Kelli Riordan hit for her first career run.
IUPUI's offense continued to roll in the following inning, with Pfeiffer tallying a solo homer to take a 4-3 lead. She leads the team with two home runs and seven RBIs.
Georgetown, however, ran away in the top of the fourth, tallying four hits and seven runs to take a commanding six-run lead. The team added two more runs in the next inning to close out the game's scoring.
IUPUI will look to end the tournament on a high note, taking on Towson tomorrow morning. The contest features an early start, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
