INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – After winning a tense, one-run pitchers’ duel in game one, the University of Indianapolis hung 24 runs on the board in the second contest to earn the sweep of visiting Bellarmine.  The Hounds’ tally in game two was the highest run total for a UIndy squad since the Greyhounds joined the GLVC in 1978 and the highest since a 24-0 rout of Northwood in 1968.

 

In a game that featured just five hits, UIndy (18-18, 13-10) managed just enough run production to take the opener by a 2-1 final.

 

Senior Daren Johnson drew a lead-off walk to start the Greyhound second and was quickly sacrificed to second base.  After a wild pitch moved him to third, Chase Wilson singled up the middle to score the game’s first run. 

 

The Hounds pushed another one across in the fifth, again with the aid of just one hit.  Third baseman Kyle Anderson started the frame with a single and was then replaced by pinch runner Marcus McKinney.  After a botched pick-off attempt and a grounder to the right side allowed McKinney to advance to third, freshman Aryn Ross drove a fly ball to left that proved deep enough to score a run.

 

UIndy starter Brent Zarney found himself in early trouble as Bellarmine coerced a bases loaded, one-out situation in the first.  The senior struck out the next two Knights to escape the jam and went on to face the minimum in the next four innings.

 

Bellarmine (20-18, 16-7 GLVC) didn’t threaten again until the sixth as a passed ball resulted in the Knights’ only run of the game.  After a leadoff single that ultimately lead to the run, Zarney walked two batters and hit another to load the bases.  With two outs, David Early relieved the senior hurler with a slim one-run edge and calmly struck out the first hitter he faced to end the threat.  Early sat the visitors down in order in the seventh and final frame to garner his first collegiate save and ensure the win for Zarney.

 

UIndy exploded for a near-record 24 runs on 27 hits while limiting its opponents to a pair of runs.

 

The Hounds wasted no time getting on the board as six of the first seven UIndy batters touched home plate, three by way of Daren Johnson’s team-high fifth homerun.  Bellarmine starter Kent Kobayashi, the first of seven Knight pitchers in the game, was chased after allowing eight runs in one-and-a-third.  The Hounds went on to score at least one run in all but one inning, including a six-run first and a five-run seventh.

 

Some of the many game two standouts for UIndy included Kyle Stephenson, Jake Tranchant and Dalan Dugger.  The three combined to go 11-for-15 at the plate with eight runs scored and 10 driven in.

 

Pitching wise, freshman Adam Farag tossed seven strong innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs to pick up his third victory.  Matt Murphy pitched the balance of the game, surrendering zero hits in two innings of work.

 

UIndy remains at home this weekend as it plays host to Southern Illinois Edwardsville.  The four-game series begins with doubleheader action on Saturday.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm.