Softball extends winning streak
The University of Indianapolis softball team extended their winning-streak to 17 games on March 23, defeating the McKendree University Bearcats in a doubleheader, 6-0 and 9-0 respectively. The victories improved their record to 24-2, and 6-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
In the first victory, the Greyhounds were led offensively by senior infielder Bailey Wittenauer who contributed two runs to the UIndy score, one which was unearned off an error by the Bearcats during the top of the second inning. The Greyhounds had their best performance offensively at the top of the fifth inning, adding five runs, highlighted by 2 RBI from a homer by sophomore outfielder Samantha Krcelich, where Wittenauer scored again.
Senior pitcher/utility Jennifer DeMotte moved to 12-0 on the season with the victory over the Bearcats. DeMotte allowed just one hit during the entire game and struck out six players. Freshman pitcher Lauren Swenson also pitched two frames, allowing no runs by the Bearcats.
In the second victory, the Greyhounds handled business early enough to allow the game to only reach six innings. The Hounds offensively tallied two runs in the first inning, but did their most damage in the fourth with five more runs. The Greyhounds closed out the game with two more runs during the top of the sixth, which finished the shutout win.
Pitching for the Greyhounds in their second victory of the day was freshman pitcher/infielder Morgan Foley, who improved to 12-2 on the season with the shutout victory. Foley allowed no runs, no hits, and struck out 12 players.
The Greyhounds also defeated the Bellarmine University Knights in both games of a doubleheader on March 22, 6-1 and 9-1, respectively.
In the first game, the Greyhounds were led by DeMotte, who allowed only one solo home run in the bottom of the first and one base runner the rest of the game. The Greyhounds also had 10 base hits.
In the second game, Foley limited the Knights to three hits and one run. The Louisville native also fanned a personal-best 16 would-be hitters. In the second inning, the Greyhounds capitalized on a Knight error and gained seven runs in the inning. The Greyhounds also had single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
On March 17, the Greyhounds were unable to play against the Missouri University of Science and Technology Miners due to inclement weather. Following the cancellation, an announcement was made that there would be no rescheduled game for the Greyhounds and Miners.
The Greyhounds improved their winning streak, however, against the Drury University Panthers in a doubleheader on March 16, 6-0 and 3-0, respectively.
In both games, the Greyhounds were able to shut out the Panthers with help from DeMotte and Foley. The Panthers managed only nine hits in both games combined.
In the first game against the Panthers, DeMotte allowed six hits and two walks. However, she did not allow a single Drury run.
Head Softball Coach Melissa Frost-Fisher said that in regard to the Hounds’ pitching, putting together the team’s strategies is a process.
“We break it [the pitcher’s performance] down with our pitching staff after every game,” Frost-Fisher said. “We all set goals. We can’t allow any breathing room. We run scenarios. It’s all about mentality. The pitchers put the team on their back.”
DeMotte finished the game with two Ks in both of the last two innings.
After starting the first three innings scoreless, UIndy scored in the fourth inning with two unearned runs. In the final two innings, the Hounds scored twice in both, adding four more runs to their total.
The Greyhounds did just as well in their second game against the Panthers. The Hounds were led by sophomore outfielder Casey Williamson, who contributed a run during the top of the fourth, off a homer by junior utility Alexa Alfaro that resulted in 2 RBI, and in the sixth inning as well. The run in the sixth by Williamson was a result of a base knock from Wittenauer.
Wittenauer said that at this point during the season, the team is doing well.
“We really have something special with this team,” Wittenauer said. “Pitching, hitting, it’s all great.”
After being on the road since March 16, the Hounds will return to Baumgartner Field to host the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on March 29, and the Lewis University Flyers in another doubleheader at noon on March 30.
