The Online Reflector

The Greyhounds’ softball team has not lost a non-conference home game since March 23, 2008.

Senior pitcher/first baseman Megan Russell allowed one hit to Northern Kentucky and struck out 15 Norse in game one of their doubleheader. UIndy produced enough offense to lead to a 3-0 victory.

Russell also went 2-2 at the plate, driving in an RBI and scoring a run.
The Norse did salvage a split, taking the second game 6-3.

Russell also pitched the second game. Her pitching Saturday leaves her 13 strikeouts shy of establishing a new UIndy career record.

Despite its size and injury concerns, the Greyhound softball team currently sits at fifth place in the region, aiming for a spot in the conference tournament and Regional championship head coach Melissa Frost-Fisher said.

“We have a very small squad compared to most schools, and with only 13 fit players, we have stayed on track toward our goal,” Fisher said.

We just need to finish in the top eight in the region in order to qualify for the regional championship; we currently sit at 5th place. Our ultimate goal is to qualify for the World Series.”

The Greyhound team is chasing history as they seek their first conference title, and have become the first league school this year to collect 20 wins.
“The girls have just been outstanding. They have worked so hard and they can achieve this goal,” Frost-Fisher said.

UIndy continued their eight-game home stand with a doubleheader sweep of Bellarmine, 6-2, 1-0 at Indiana Central Little League (ICLL) on the team’s Senior Day on Sunday, April 11.

“It’s been a very successful season. We went on a 13-game winning streak and set a new school record. I am pleased at how well we are doing. We have had injuries to key players but other members of the team stepped up greatly,” Russell said.

The double-dip victories push the Greyhounds to 27-12 on the season, 17-5 in GLVC contests.

“The coach challenges us; she tells us we can’t afford to go slow now after a strong push for honors this season. She [Coach Frost-Fisher] makes us believe in ourselves. We can make the final eight,” Russell said.

UIndy is 24-3 all-time at ICLL, with a 2010 season record of 11-2 at the field after a 13-1 home showing in 2009.

“The team has been on an incline, we have had ups and downs but it’s been mostly ups; right now we are trying to keep everyone on the team healthy; it’s our key to a successful finish to the season,” Frost-Fisher said.

Against Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday April 10, Greyhound pitching allowed just one hit in a doubleheader sweep. Russell threw a perfect game in an 8-0 five-inning win in the opener, and freshman pitcher Jennifer DeMotte allowed just a fourth-inning double in another 8-0 win in game two, also in five innings.

On April 8, Greyhound softball team helped sixth-year head coach Frost-Fisher obtain another milestone in a non-conference doubleheader sweep over Urbana University. The Greyhounds emerged 6-1 winners in the opener to give Frost-Fisher her 250th career win and also took the nightcap, 4-0, to improve to 22-11 overall.

Frost-Fisher coached her 300th game as the Greyhound head coach Thursday, April 8; she is 181-119 in her six seasons at UIndy.

“I am really proud of my girls. They have worked very hard and stayed healthy. I am hoping they stay focused and committed to our course for the remainder of the season,” Frost-Fisher said.

The team plays Quincy College on May 2 at the Indiana Central Little Lake in their last league game of the season.

“This is my last semester with the team, Carmen Martinez and I are graduating and so we will like to end this amazing engagement with a historic success,” Russell said. “The coaches, and the team have worked really hard and we deserve to be at the regional championship. Quincy College won’t stop us.”