Baseball opens with 5-3 record
Baseball openers.
By Jaclyn Luscomb | Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis baseball team tipped off the spring season early this month. The Greyhounds headed to Russellville, Ark., Feb. 14-15 to take on Northwest Missouri State University and Arkansas Tech University.
Playing against Northwest Missouri State, the ‘Hounds lost the first game 3-4, but came back in the second game to win 4-1.
On Feb. 14, the Greyhound’s took on Arkansas Tech in a double header. In game one against Arkansas Tech, the ‘Hounds were defeated 11-8, after having held a five-point lead through four and a half innings. But in the second game, the Greyhounds came back to defeat Arkansas Tech 4-3.
UIndy played in the first series of games of the season against West Georgia Feb. 6-8 in Carrollton, Ga. The ‘Hounds started the tourney with a 14-13 loss Feb. 6, but came back on Feb. 7 to win two games against West Georgia, 11-6 and 6-3. UIndy continued the win streak by defeating West Georgia 9-2 on Feb. 8.
According to junior Justin Russell, the team is looking forward to making it past the regional tournament and into the NCAA Division II World Series this season.
“With the group of freshman and junior college transfers we have brought in, we feel this goal is achievable,” Russell said. “We have a pitching staff that tops [other] staffs we have had since I have played at the University. The team has a winning mentality and will not accept losing. As a senior, I will strive to keep everyone in line and focused on the goals we have set for this season.”
Head coach Gary Vaught said the team is looking very strong in pitching and prepared for the start of their season with regular workouts.
Although the team had many players graduate from last season and have lost others to injury this season, Vaught said he is optimistic and looking to the upperclassman such as junior Adam Akin, and seniors Ben Sondgeroth, Travis Kempton and Russell to lead the team. Vaught said he hopes to see the new freshman step up and take their places as strong players on the team.
Last season the team finished with an overall 37-21 record. On Jan. 15, the baseball team was ranked fourth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll, behind St. Joseph’s College, Bellarmine University and Northern Kentucky University.
Vaught said he is confident in his players and that he will see great things from them this year as he has in the past.
Senior pitcher Travis Kempton concentrates on pitching. Before Kempton came to UIndy, he played for Redlands Community College where, as a sophomore, he had a .381 hitting percentage, was ninth in doubles and third in RBI’s in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
