ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Indiana University South Bend Softball (1-3, 0-0 CCAC) team opened their 2025 campaign under first year head coach Annie Dehnke at the Rosemont Dome Tournament in Rosemont, IL. The Titans went 1-3 on the weekend earning Dehnke her first win as a head coach. 

Game 1 (L 3-2)
The Titans faced former conference opponent Roosevelt University (2-0, 0-0 Conf.) in their first game of the season. The Lakers ended up winning the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on walk off single. The Titans got out to an early 2-0 lead scoring one run in the second inning on a Leah Dawson sacrifice fly and one run in the third inning on a sacrifice bunt from Savannah Johnson. After a scoreless fourth inning Roosevelt responded with two runs in the fifth inning to tie the game at 2-2. No runs in the sixth for either team and a quick quick top of the seventh for the Titan offense made way for a Laker comeback. Two consecutive singles and a sacrifice bunt brought runners to second and third with one out. Roosevelt got the hit they needed to take the game 3-2 from the Titans. Abigail Yarnell took the loss in the game despite throwing a solid 6.1 innings allowing 10 hits, 3 runs, and striking out 4. 

Game 2 (L 12-11)
IUSB once again jumped out to an early lead, this time against Lawerence Tech University (1-1, 0-0 Conf.). The Titans were up 7-2 through three innings of play surged by a five run first inning. LTU clawed back with three more runs in the fourth inning bringing the game within two. The Titan offense extended their lead with two more runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth bringing the score to 10-5 in favor of the Titans. LTU wouldn't go away as they responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring them within two runs. Another run from IUSB in the top of the seventh made the game seem all but over as the Titans led 11-8 and just three outs away from victory. The Blue Devils had other thoughts as they found a way to take advantage of a leadoff walk, a Titan error, and big time double to push four runs across to win the game 12-11. Jordan Watts led the Titan offense going 3-4 with a triple and 4 RBIs. In the Circle Jaylah Harlan took the loss allowing three unearned runs in the last inning of the game in her 0.2 innings of work.

Game 3 (W 8-6)
After a tough day one the Titans turned around and won their first game of the day against crosstown rival Bethel University (0-2, 0-0 Conf.) 8-6. The win was head coach Annie Dehnke's first win at the helm of the Softball program and her first win as a head coach. The majority of the scoring for the game was done in the first three innings. Bethel scored one in the first and four in the third, while IUSB scored five in the first, one in the second, and two in the third. With the Titans leading 8-5 there was no offense to show for either team for the rest of the game outside of a lone run from Bethel in the top of the sixth inning. The Titans held on for victory throwing a scoreless seventh inning. Abigail Yarnell was 3-3 with a double and an RBI, Reece Douglass was 3-4 with two doubles, and Maddie Leisher was 1-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Jaylah Harlan picked up the win throwing 4.2 innings of relief only allowing one run and striking out one.

Game 4 (L 3-2)
The final game of the weekend was another late inning loss for the Titans, this time an 8 Inning affair against William Penn University (6-2, 0-0 Conf.). The game was a battle of pitching as the only run scored through six innings was a Jordan Watts RBI groundout after Aubrey Gearhart got on by a triple. William Penn tied the game with one run in their final at bat of regulation. In extra innings the Titans allowed two runs in the top of the eighth giving the first lead of the game to William Penn.The Titans threatened in the bottom of the eighth scoring one run but was unable to push anymore runs across leading to a 3-2 Titan loss. Savannah Hamilton put together a very good start on the rubber for the Titans going 6.2 innings, allowing one run, and striking out three on over 120 pitches. Abigail Yarnell took the loss in her 1.1 innings of work late in the game.

The Softball Team returns to action February 27th when they travel to Huntington University for a doubleheader against the Foresters.