The IUS softball team had a slow start to their game against the Concordia Cardinals and pulled out a victory at the end of the game, 6-5, on March 9.

The slow beginning was a result of poor defense by the Grenadiers and preventable fumbles.

In the fourth and fifth inning, Jordan Batliner, freshman pitcher, Amber Eckstein, sophomore pitcher, and Jenna Swain, sophomore pitcher, all threw from the mound in an attempt to stop the Cardinals.

Finally, Swain turned the course of the game in the fifth inning, striking out two batters in a row.

Swain pitched the rest of the game.

On March 13, Swain was named the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pitcher of the week. Todd Buckingham, IUS baseball head coach, said Swain took charge.

“Jenna came in and settled the defense down,” Buckingham said. “She got us the win.”

Another reputable player was Allie Alford, senior outfielder. At the bat, Alford hit for the cycle, meaning she gained a single, double, triple and home run during the game.

Batliner was another key player, as well, because she scored the RBI that won the game.

Expectations going into a game can produce unwanted results and become negative, but Buckingham said this was not the case.

“Ultimately, our number one expectation was to get a win and play defense well,” Buckingham said. “We also needed to execute well under pressure, which I think we achieved.”

Buckingham also said the pitchers need to work on their mentality, and the team as a whole needs to execute better in the short and mental game.

The Grenadiers are 10-9 in the regular season and are looking forward to the tournament in May. Buckingham said they are hopeful to make it to nationals.

By CLARE BOWYER

Staff

clbowyer@umail.iu.edu