Baseball improves on home record
The University of Indianapolis baseball team swept a doubleheader at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside 3-2, 10-0 on April 1.
In the first game, senior outfielder Matt Maringer scored the first UIndy run in the top of the third. The Greyhounds came out on top in the seventh as both junior baseman Scott Lawley and senior right fielder Adam Rusche crossed home plate.
Junior third baseman Tyler O’Daniel drops his bat and kicks up dust as he sprints for first base after a two-run double in the bottom of the second inning in the second game against Kentucky State University. Eleven Greyhounds stepped up to the plate during the inning and stopped the Thorobreds’ from scoring beyond five runs during the game. Photo by Kelbi Ervin
The Greyhounds surpassed the Rangers in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings of the second game as they pushed 10 runners across home plate to defeat the Rangers.
On March 31, the Greyhounds split the afternoon with a loss and a win over Wisconsin-Parkside.
In the first game, junior pitcher Hugo Lalonde allowed a two-run double that led to three runs in the first inning. The Greyhounds managed one run in the second and had a chance to tie the game in the ninth but could only push one runner across home plate to finish behind 2-3.
Game two featured a new Greyhound pitcher in senior pitcher Donovan Drake. Drake allowed just two Parkside runs. The Greyhounds finished on top 4-2.
UIndy defeated Urbana University 18-3 on March 29. The Greyhounds have won seven out of the last eight regular season games.
Despite senior infielder Mike Page’s leadoff hit in the first, the Greyhounds remained scoreless for the first four innings. The Knights scored two runs in the second inning after coaxing junior pitcher Clint Seefeldt to pitch back-to-back walks.
However, the Greyhounds came back and scored seven runs in the fifth inning. The Knights could not answer, and UIndy pulled away with the win.
The Greyhounds dominated a doubleheader against Kentucky State University on March 27. UIndy defeated KSU 8-1 and 18-5.
Junior outfielder Bryce Feller hit a home run in the fourth inning, sending three runners across home plate. Sophomore pitcher Alex Wood earned the win after allowing only one run and five hits.
The second game featured a substantial 5-0 lead by KSU in less than two innings. However, the Greyhounds counteracted the Thorobreds’ runs with nine runs in the bottom of the second. UIndy tacked on nine more runs in the next four innings to take the win.
The Greyhounds played two doubleheaders against William Jewell College on March 25 and Rockhurst University on March 24.
Senior catcher/first baseman Scott Mourey said that the pre-season had prepared the team for the regular season match-ups.
“We had our early pre-season games down in Florida, which were tough,” Mourey said. “But you’ve got to come out and give it your all.”
After a compelling win in Sunday’s first game against William Jewell, the Greyhounds suffered their first shutout of the season in a 0-6 loss in game two.
UIndy never trailed in the first game against William Jewell. The Greyhounds managed four unearned runs in the bottom of the first and then added two more in the second to gain a 6-0 lead.
By the end of the ninth inning, Jewell had only earned one run in the third, eighth and ninth innings, but UIndy scored three more runs and won 9-3.
The Greyhounds lost the second game after Jewell earned two runs in the second inning, one run in the third inning and three runs in the fifth inning. UIndy fell as they remained scoreless the entire game.
Freshman pitcher Brett Collins said that he learned from the team’s split against Jewell.
“After one game, you learn what to expect out of the batters, as a pitcher’s standpoint goes,” said freshman pitcher Brett Collins.
UIndy began its two doubleheader weekend with a pair of wins against Rockhurst. The Greyhounds scored 13 runs on the visiting Hawks and allowed just six runs in the opening game.
The Hawks took their first and only lead of the day with a two-run homer, but the Greyhounds came back in the bottom of the fifth. Then they put the game away with five more runs in the seventh.
“Offensively we did well,” Mourey said. “Rockhurst is a good team, so it felt good to beat them.”
After coming off of an offensive game, Saturday’s second match turned into a pitcher’s contest. The Greyhounds managed single runs in the first, second and fourth innings, to finish the game on top 3-0.
“We definitely hit better and capitalized on the errors that Rockhurst made,” Collins said.
UIndy’s offensive highlight came in the bottom of the fourth inning, when junior third baseman Tyler O’Daniel propelled the ball to National Avenue with a single home run on the first pitch of the inning.
Collins said the support from the fans was important to the team.
“We had a pretty supporting crowd Saturday which definitely helped,” Collins said.
The Greyhounds will play at home Easter weekend against Lewis University. The first game against Lewis will be on April 6 and the second on April 7.
