SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Indiana University South Bend Softball team (6-18, 0-0 CCAC) split their midweek non-conference doubleheader with Defiance College (OH) (7-13, 0-0 Conf.) winning game one 8-3 and dropping game two in the final inning 10-9.
Game 1 (W 8-3)
In Softball’s home opener the Titans played host to Defiance College (OH) looking to continue the winning momentum from their last game of their Spring Break trip in Florida. The Titans got out to an early lead scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning on a Jordan Watts solo home run, with the offense adding four more runs in the bottom of the third on a Maddie Leisher two RBI single, a Savannah Hamilton RBI single, and an Aubrey Gearhart RBI walk giving IUSB a 5-0 lead through three innings of play. Defiance got on the scoreboard with a single run in the top of the fourth inning, but the Titans responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a Reece Douglass RBI single and RBI walks from Savannah Hamilton and Grace Swangin to bring the Titan lead to 8-1. Defiance would add try to come back scoring one run in the fifth inning and one run in the sixth inning, but Savannah Hamilton shutdown Defiance in the seventh inning giving the Titans a game one win. Hamilton was phenomenal in the circle for the Titans throwing 7.0 innings giving up three runs, three earned, on seven hits and 11 strikeouts for her third win of the season. The 11 strikeouts from Hamilton set a new program record for strikeouts for a pitcher in a single game.
Game 2 (L 10-9)
In the nightcap Defiance looked to salvage the day and came out the gate taking the lead with a single run in the top of the first inning. The Titans responded responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead. Both teams traded two runs in the the third inning to make the score 4-3 IUSB. Defiance added one run in the fourth inning and two runs in the fifth inning while the Titans were held scoreless giving Defiance a 6-4 lead through five innings of play. In the sixth inning the Titans exploded for five runs giving IUSB a 9-6 lead heading into the final inning of play. Defiance was down to their last out with just a runner on first base until they rattled off four straight hits parlayed with an untimely wild pitch pushing four runs across to give them the lead 10-9. The Titans were set down in order in the bottom of the seventh inning and dropped game two 10-9. Maddie Leisher and Summer Johnson led the Titan offense each having two doubles with Leisher going 2-4 with an RBI and Johnson going 2-3 with 3 RBI’s. Abigail Yarnell and Reece Douglass also 2 RBI’s at the plate. IUSB sent three different pitchers to the circle with Abigail Yarnell getting the start, going 2.0 innings giving up three runs on five hits and three strikeouts, followed by Elyse Starr who threw 3.0 innings giving three runs, one earned, on four hits and also three strikeouts. Jaylah Harland picked up the loss throwing the final two innings giving up four runs on five hits and no strikeouts.
The Softball team returns to action with another home game on Wednesday March 26, this time being their first CCAC conference action against visiting Trinity Christian College (8-15-1, 0-0 CCAC). First pitch is slated for 3pm ET at Newton Park in Lakeville, Ind.