WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Center fielder Shelby Baker had a two-RBI base hit, but IU South Bend struggled to keep pace with Rio Grande (Ohio), falling to the Red Storm 10-2 in five innings on Friday evening.
After Kaylee Darnell singled and Savannah Schmitz walked, Baker drove in the pair with a base hit to right, briefly giving the Titans (2-2) a 2-1 lead in the top of the 2nd inning. Rio Grande (1-0) responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning to reclaim the lead, 5-2.
The Red Storm added to their lead with runs in the 3rd and 4th, ending the game early on the run rule.
Schmitz finished 2-for-2 at the plate for IUSB, scoring once on the night. Haley Fair had the team's lone extra-base hit, with a two-out double in the top of the 5th.
The Titans will look to bounce back on Saturday, when they face Lawrence Tech (Mich.) at 11:00 a.m., followed by the hosts Cumberlands (Ky.) at 4:00 p.m.