INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team fell to Cleveland State in back-to-back games on Saturday. The Jags defeated the Vikings in game one of the series on Friday but the Vikings came out strong on Saturday to sweep the doubleheader.
In game one, both offenses recorded 12 or more hits but the Vikings were able to cross the plate more earning the win, 12-7.
IUPUI took the early lead with five runs in the first inning.
Rachael Gregory kicked off the scoring, crossing the plate on a fielder's choice by
Paige McPhearson.
Kennedy Cowan then singled through the left side to score
Kendal Calvert followed by another run scoring on a fielder's choice from
Kasie Keyes. The Jags scored two more runs in the bottom of the first on a Vikings' error to extend their lead to 5-0.
Cleveland State tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the second inning with five runs on three hits. Walks and a wild pitch cost the Jags in the second inning, forcing head coach
Elisabeth Beirne to pull the Jaguars' starting pitcher.
IUPUI got a run back in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single from McPhearson, 6-5. The Vikings once again tied the game up in the top of the third inning with an RBI single, 6-6.
The Vikings then started to pull away with four runs in the fourth inning with four hits and one IUPUI error.
McPhearson once again earned an RBI for the Jags with a ground out, cutting the deficit to 10-7. Cleveland State added two insurance runs in the sixth inning with a home run and sac fly to seal the win at 12-7.
The Jags totaled 12 hits with Cowan collecting three hits while Gregory, Calvert, McPhearson and
Isabelle Waggner all recording two hits each.
Kelli Riordan added one hit.
Jasmin Speth took the loss in the circle to the Jags giving up five runs on five hits in 1.1 innings of work.
In game two, Cleveland State totaled 22 hits to earn the 18-2 win in five innings. The Jags scored two runs off three hits. IUPUI's runs came from an RBI single from McPhearson in the first inning and a Cleveland State error in the third inning, scoring Gregory.
McPhearson, Cowan and
Kaylen Garland recorded the three hits for the Jags. Alexa Homan took the loss for IUPUI, giving up eight runs on 10 hits in 2.1 innings of work.
IUPUI will now host Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, March 19 for a doubleheader. The first game is set for a 2:00 PM first pitch.
