Game 1: UIndy 2, Findlay 1
Game 2: UIndy 5, Findlay 2
FINDLAY, Ohio- The University of Indianapolis softball team etched its 20th win of the season, sweeping a non-conference doubleheader at the University of Findlay on Tuesday afternoon. Amanda Wendlinger and Megan Russell each picked up their eighth pitching win of the season.
Game one was a pitcher's duel as the game remained scoreless until the fifth inning. UIndy (20-11) struck for an unearned run when Lacey Werner came around to score after back-to-back singles and an error for a slim 1-0 advantage. The Hounds tacked on another unearned run in the sixth with Kathy Blanchard's RBI single providing the damage.
A leadoff triple in the bottom of the frame provided Findlay's lone run, but Wendlinger made the pair of Greyhound runs hold up, holding UF to just six hits and one run in seven innings to notch the win. She struck out nine in the win, marking a new season high for Ks in a game for the sophomore. Werner was 2-for-3 to lead the Greyhound offense.
In the nightcap, Russell matched Wendlinger's performance by striking out 10 Findlay batters to record a new career high for Ks. She squandered just four hits in seven innings, and recorded at least one punchout in every inning.
UF (3-26) was able to gain the early lead on a single and a triple in the second inning. That lead would hold until UIndy got a leadoff triple from Lindsey Gustine in the fourth, who later scored on a wild pitch. Findlay got it back in the bottom of the inning on a solo homer to regain the lead, 2-1.
Julie Zaitz tripled home Blanchard in the fifth to retie the score and UIndy mounted a three-run sixth to eventually take the win. Russell tripled to leadoff the inning, followed by a walk and a two-run double from Lindsay Maraldo. Blanchard added an RBI single to give the Hounds a 5-2 lead heading into the final innings.
Russell closed out the game, allowing just one base runner after the homerun to earn her eighth win of the season. She also had a pair of hits at the plate as did Blanchard, with the Hounds tallying eight hits in game two.
The wins finish off UIndy's non-conference schedule as the Greyhounds prepare to play the next six games on the road in league play. The Hounds head to Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday and play Lewis on Sunday in doubleheader action each day.
