SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana University South Bend softball splits weekend doubleheader with Cleary after dropping the first game 3-4 and capitalizing in the second game to win 6-2.
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Game One: IUSB 3, Cleary 4
IU South Bend led the fight after
Emily Cave tripled down the right field line at her first at bat.
Kaylee Darnell singled to short stop sending Cave home scoring the first run of the game in the bottom of the second. Darnell ended the inning scoring on a throw to second before
Kat Bessler was thrown out at third.
Cleary answered in the third with three runs on three hits with Courtney Tur scoring on a Kelsi Jacobs double. Liz Stockert hit the solo homerun of the afternoon sending in Jacobs to take the lead 3-2. Both teams battled, making tough defensive plays holding each other scoreless until the seventh inning where both teams brought one player home. The Titans had the winning run on base but could not be brought home before Cave grounded out to the second baseman.
Becca Stevens pitched all seven innings allowing eight hits, facing 30 batters in the first game.
Game Two: IUSB 6, Cleary 2
The Titans improved their overall record to 3-9 and 3-6 at home after winning the second game of the afternoon 6-2 at Dick Pfeil Field. Leading the offense for the Crimson and Cream was
Savanna Schmitz with three hits at four at bats sending in one run.
Emily Anglin and
Brittany VanderBrink both added one hit each on four at bats, sending in a combined four runs.
The Titans grabbed an early 5-0 lead, scoring in the third and the fourth allowing the Cougars scoreless. Cleary had opportunities to score leaving runners on base in every inning except one but perfect defense on the Titans end, halted the Cougars. Cleary would score their only two runs in the fifth as Titans held the 11-5 hit advantage in the second game.
Aly Brickel is credited with the win, her second of the season after pitching all seven innings allowing five hits facing 39 batters.
Titans return home on Wednesday, March 24 as they welcome Goshen for a doubleheader with the first pitch at Dick Pfeil Field scheduled for 5 PM.