SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana University South Bend softball (8-10) split Saturday's, March 27, doubleheader against Judson in its first Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup this season. The Titans dropped an 11-6 extra-inning decision before senior Aly Brickel led the way on the mound for a 3-0 victory in the night cap.  

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Game One: IUSB 6, Judson 11 (9 Innings)
Savanna Schmitz set the tone for game one, leading off for the Titans in the bottom of the first and tripling to center field. A sacrifice bunt by Kat Bessler would bring Schmitz home before an Eagle double play ended the inning.
Trailing by one in the bottom of the fifth, IUSB added two runs off two hits and two Eagle errors. Pinch runner Haylie Williamson and Emily Anglin scored to give the Titans the 4-3 advantage.

In the top of the seventh, a quick two outs with a runner on second looked hopeful for the Titans. However, a single for the Eagles would bring a runner home tying the score and with no answer from IU South Bend sent the game into extra innings.

The two teams traded runs in the eighth as Olivia Zarantonello doubled to left bringing home Baker to match Judson's score of 5-5.

The first batter for the Eagles in the top of the ninth doubled to left center giving Judson the momentum in the final inning. Judson was able to load the bases with zero outs leading to a total of six runs in the ninth frame.

Mackenzie Myars led off the bottom of the ninth hitting her sixth home run of the season on the first pitch of the inning but three outs would insure the win for Judson.

Game Two: IUSB 3, Judson 0
Clutch pitching by Brickel and outstanding ­­­catches in the outfield left seven runners on base for the Eagles that would never see home. Brickel allowed just five hits while delivering two strikeouts.

IUSB took the early 2-0 lead after two innings, as the Titans added a pair in the bottom of the second. Baker got things started with a single up the middle to bring home Brittany Vanderbrink. Birthday girl Courtney Welborn continued the offense with a single to left as Baker came home.

With the rain starting to pour down in the bottom of the fourth, Zarantonello, Welborn and Kaylee Darnell loaded the bases in the fourth frame. A Williamson single to center, drove home Zarantonello to help secure the first IUSB conference victory of the season.

The Titans are back in action on Wednesday, March 31 when they travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. for a pair of non-conference ­­games against Cornerstone. First pitch is set for 3 PM with the second game to follow.