SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Indiana University South Bend Softball (10-24, 4-6 CCAC) team won both games of their CCAC doubleheader over Viterbo University (7-21, 4-8 CCAC) winning game one 10-8 and winning game two 5-4 in walk off fashion.
Game 1 (W 10-8)
The Titans hosted the visiting Viterbo University V-Hawks for their final home CCAC doubleheader of the season looking to gain some momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Viterbo came out the gate strong scoring four runs in the top of the first inning fueled by a three run home run. However, the Titan offense responded right away scoring four runs on their own after loading the bases with two outs, Leah Dawson hit a Grand Slam to tie the game at 4-4. IUSB then took the lead in the bottom of the second inning scoring a single run on a Reece Douglass RBI sacrifice fly. The V-Hawks would tie the game back up with a run of their own in the top of the third inning, but the Titans responded with a another four run inning behind a V-Hawk error, a Maddie Leisher two RBI single and an Elyse Starr RBI single, pushing the Titans in front 9-5 through the first three innings of play. Viterbo would try to mount a come back with two runs in the top of the fifth inning, but the Titans responded once again with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI sacrifice fly from Abigail Yarnell. The V-Hawks got another run in the top of the sixth inning, but it was too little too late, as the Titans closed the door to win game one 10-8. In the circle Savannah Hamilton picked up the win throwing 4.1 innings giving up six runs, five earned, on eight hits and three strikeouts. Jaylah Harlan earned the save in her 2.2 innings of relief allowing one run, zero earned, on two hits and one strikeout.
Game 2 (W 5-4)
Runs came at more of a premium in game two compared to game one. There was no score until the V-Hawks scored three runs in the top of the third inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Titans would respond with a single run on an Abigail Yarnell RBI single in the bottom half of the inning to come within two runs. The score stayed at 3-1 in favor of Viterbo for the middle innings until the Titans tied the game up with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Maddie Leisher hit an RBI double to make it a 3-2 game, then Leisher came around to score when Elyse Starr baited the catcher to throw the ball down to second base on a steal attempt tying the game at 3-3 going into the final inning. Viterbo thought they could salvage the doubleheader by scoring a run and taking the lead in the top of the seventh inning, but the Titans wanted to spoil their party. Savannah Hamilton tied the game up with an RBI single, and then Summer Johnson hit a walk off single to secure the doubleheader sweep for the Titans. Abigail Yarnell picked up the win in the circle throwing seven innings giving up four runs, three earned, on 10 hits and three strikeouts.
The Softball team returns to action when they head to Elgin, Ill. for a makeup doubleheader on Thursday April 17th with Judson University (9-27, 1-9 CCAC). First pitch is scheduled for 1pm ET.