The IUS softball team split a doubleheader against the Brescia University on Saturday, April 10, at the Koetter Sports Complex.
The Grenadiers started slow in the first game.
Brescia jumped ahead, posting five runs in the top of the second inning to take a 5-0 lead.
Sophomore pitcher Kayla Duke was able to hold the Bearcats in check until the seventh inning, and the Grenadiers scored four runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to knot the score at five.
The Bearcats put two runs on the board in the seventh inning, and IU Southeast was not able to answer, as Brescia went on to win 7-5.
The loss was the first in Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play for IU Southeast.
The Grenadiers led with eight hits, but costly errors allowed Brescia to score four unearned runs. The Bearcats only amassed five hits in the game.
Lauren Logsdon, Brescia freshman third base, and Casey Crick, Brescia catcher, each knocked in two runs for the Bearcats.
Shana Andres, senior shortstop, led the way offensively for the Grenadiers, with two hits. She also had an RBI.
Stephanie Coomes, Brescia assistant softball coach, said it was a good win.
“IUS is a good hitting team,” Cooms said. “But we came out here swinging.”
Mike Nally, IUS assistant softball coach, said the Grenadiers’ underclassmen were not as productive as usual.
“The underclassmen didn’t perform like normal,” Nally said. “It was an off outing.”
Nally said they were going to rotate new players in for the second game.
The Grenadiers came back after the first game loss, holding the Bearcats scoreless in the second game.
The Grenadiers had 12 hits and nine runs in the five inning game.
The Grenadiers jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the first inning, and added five runs in the fourth inning.
Shana Andres, senior short stop, had three hits, including a triple, and scored two runs for the Grenadiers. Heather Shepherd, sophomore catcher, and Tara Denzik, senior first base, knocked in a combined eight runs for IU Southeast.
Kelsey Everett, sophomore pitcher, only gave up three hits as she pitched a complete game and shut out the Bearcats.
Lara Hager, Brescia senior shortstop, managed to get two for the Bearcats. Following the doubleheader, the Grenadiers were 23-11 overall and 11-1 in the KIAC.
IU Southeast will be in action at Midway College on Tuesday, April 20, for a conference doubleheader. The Grenadiers will then travel to Brescia for a doubleheader to close out the regular season on April 25.
Staff Writer
lmtate@umail.iu.edu