BRIGHTON, Mich. – Freshman Maddie Leisher hit the first home run of the season for IU South Bend softball, as the Titans opened the 2022 season with an 8-6 win over Concordia (Mich.) on Friday afternoon.

Trailing 3-0 early, the Titans (1-0) rallied with an RBI double from Brittany VanderBrink in the top of the 4th, before Leisher gave her team the lead with a three-run shot in the 5th inning to take a 4-3 lead. Concordia (1-2) would come back with two runs in the 5th, and take a 6-4 lead in the 6th with another score.

In their last chance at the plate, Savannah Schitz led off the top of the 7th with her second base hit of the game, with a walk from Emily Cave and a single from Shelby Baker loading the bases. VanderBrink's RBI single followed by a Concordia fielding error would tie the game at 7-7, and two batters later a passed ball allowed VanderBrink to score the go-ahead run.

Freshman Jaela Patton came on to pitch the bottom of the 7th, and secured the save as the Cardinals left the winning run on base.

VanderBrink finished 2-for-3 in the win, driving in two RBI and scoring once, while Cave reached base three times, finishing 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored. Maddie Edwards got the win, pitching three innings of relief and striking out two.

The Titans will look to get back in action again next Thursday, back at the Legacy Sports Complext in Brighton, Mich., with a doubleheader against Cleary (Mich.). First pitch on February 10 is set for 11:30 a.m.