ONEIDA, Tenn. – IU South Bend Softball enjoyed a winning weekend, including a come-from-behind win over a nationally ranked opponent, picking up a pair of wins on Sunday to wrap up the Bear Creek Tournament hosted by Cumberlands (Ky.).
The Titans (5-3) took a win over Lawrence Tech (Mich.) on Saturday, 9-1, before falling to the hosts Patriots 4-0 in the nightcap. On Sunday, IUSB earned a 5-4 win over No. 21 Milligan (Tenn.) and a 11-3 victory over Cleary (Mich.) to go 3-2 overall at the Bear Creek tourney.
Titans 9, Lawrence Tech 1 (5 inn.)
Brittany VanderBrink's two-out double in the 1st inning scored Maddy Leisher and Emily Cave, as the Titans quickly took a 2-0 lead over the Blue Devils (3-6). IUSB would put the game away in the bottom of the 3rd, scoring four runs on four hits, highlighted by another two-RBI double from VanderBrink.
Maddy Edwards and Kaylee Darnell each drive in two runs in the win, as the Titans combined for five extra-base hits in the game. Nicole Van Zant earned the win, allowing one run over five innings of work.
Cumberlands 4, Titans 0
In a game that started as a pitchers duel, Cumberlands (9-2) posted the first run of the game on a sac fly in the 3rd inning, but added three more in the 6th to secure the win. The Titans finished with just two base hits, as Haley Fair finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
Abby Yarnell had a solid performance in the circle, allowing three earned runs and striking out seven over six innings.
Titans 5, No. 21 Milligan 4
Yarnell led the Titans at the plate, driving in three RBI including a game-tying double in the 6th inning, as IUSB overcame an early 3-0 deficit to defeat the Buffs on Sunday afternoon.
The Titans took advantage of three errors in the top of the 4th, allowing VanderBrink and Emily Anglin to score on a pair of Milligan mistakes. In the top of the 6th, trailing 4-2, the Titans led off with a pair of singles to set the table for Yarnell's one-out double to left that tied the game. After a base hit from Savanna Schmitz, Yarnell was able to score the go-ahead run on Milligan's fourth error of the game.
Schmitz, Anglin, Fair, and Yarnell all collected two hits in the win, while Van Zant picked up the win with three innings of relief without an earned run allowed. Yarnell picked up her second save of the year, retiring all five batters faced.
Titans 11, Cleary 3 (6 inn.)
A grand slam from Schmitz in the 2nd inning put the Titans on top for the rest of the game, as IUSB scored five runs in the 2nd and 4th frames for an 11-3 win in six innings.
Shelby Baker and Jozie Raymer each drove in a pair of runs, as six players in all recorded an RBI in the win. The Titans combined for six extra-base hits while Jaela Patton earned her first win of the year.
The Titans will now prepare for the 2022 home opener, scheduled for Saturday, March 5 against Huntington (Ind.). The doubleheader with the Foresters is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
