Game 1: UIndy 9, Missouri-Rolla 1 (6 inn.)
Game 2: Missouri-Rolla 7, UIndy 4
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- The Greyhounds got a boost from their freshmen class in a doubleheader split with visiting Missouri-Rolla at Baumgartner Field on Sunday. UIndy (14-6, 3-1 GLVC) managed a 9-1 win in the opener, but dropped a 7-4 decision in the nightcap.
Freshman Courtney Smith got the start in the first game and after escaping minor trouble in the top of the first, got an early lead thanks to her frosh teammates. Jessica Breeden hammered the first pitch she saw, hitting a line drive over the centerfield fence for a 2-0 UIndy lead.
The Miners got an unearned run in the top of the next inning, taking a walk followed by an errant pickoff throw and two groundouts.
But, it would be all the offense the Miners could muster as the game remained a pitcher's duel until the fifth inning. Singles by Lacey Werner and Breeden followed by an error loaded the bases for Megan Russell. The rookie skied a grand slam over the left centerfield fence to blow the game wide open at 6-1. The Hounds batted around in that inning, scoring four runs. The Hounds tacked on three more in the sixth inning to eventually take the win, 9-1.
Smith earned the win in the opener, allowing just three hits and one run, none earned, in six innings thrown. She struck out four in improving to 3-0 on the season. Breeden and Werner each crossed the plate three times in game one.
Smith also got the starting nod in the nightcap, but after the first four Miners reached base, the Hounds would find themselves at a deficit from which they could not recover. UMR (11-6, 1-3 GLVC) collected four first-inning runs on four hits and an error. The big blow in the inning was Rachel Wilkinson's bases-loaded double to chase Smith from the game. Amanda Wendlinger came on in relief and avoided further damage.
After the Miners took a 5-0 lead, UIndy began to chip away at the lead. The Hounds scored single unearned runs in the second and third before an RBI double by Lauren Booten in the fifth to close the gap to 5-3.
UMR answered in the top of the sixth with a run, but Russell struck again, smashing a solo homer in the first pitch of the bottom of that frame. UIndy could draw no closer, however, and the Miners dealt the Hounds their first conference loss of the season.
Four different Greyhounds had two hits in the second game, led by Lindsey Gustine's triple and double with two runs scored. Breeden, Russell and Colleen Roach all had a pair of hits for UIndy. Wendlinger, in her first action since being struck by a pitched ball during the Florida trip, threw seven innings, allowing three runs while striking out eight.
UIndy heads to Saint Joseph's on Wednesday for a mid-week doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern time from Renssalear, Ind.
