BRIGHTON, Mich. – A bases-clearing triple in the second inning was more than enough for IU South Bend softball, as the Titans earned a 6-1 win while splitting a doubleheader with Cleary (Mich.) on Thursday afternoon.

Olivia Zarantonello ripped a three-RBI triple to right center to give the Titans (2-1) the early lead, allowing Savannah Schmitz, Brittany Johnstone, and Jaela Patton to score in the 2nd-inning rally. The Cougars (3-2) came back with a run in the bottom of the 3rd, before Hailey Fair hit her first collegiate home run, to cen ter field in the top of the 4th to give IUSB a 4-1 edge.

In the 5th inning, Patton increased the lead further with her two-RBI double to left, scoring Emily Anglin and Shelby Baker. Courtney Wellborn had a strong outing in the circle, striking out four over three and two-thirds innings, while freshman Abby Yarnell earned her first collegiate win in relief, throwing three shutout frames to secure the win.

In the first game of the day, the Titans took a 6-0 lead through five and a half innings, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Johnstone in the top of the 1st. Cleary had a late rally, scoring seven times in the bottom of the 6th to take a 7-4 win. Nicole Van Zant pitched four no-hit innings for IUSB, striking out three.

Anglin collected five base hits between both games of the doubleheader, finishing 5-for-7 with a run and RBI on the day.

The Titans are back in action next week, beginning with a weekend trip to Campbellsville (Ky.) on Friday and Saturday, February 18-19. IUSB faces Rio Grande (Ohio) along with a rematch with Cleary on Friday, beginning at 2:30 p.m.