OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. –The UIndy softball team (49-13) endured its first loss at the NCAA Division II Championship Friday.  After blanking No. 6 North Georgia yesterday, the Greyhounds fell 5-0 to 24th-ranked Shorter University, allowing more than four runs for the first time since April 18.
 
The loss moves the Hounds to the losers' bracket to face the winner of tomorrow's Central Missouri/California (Pa.) match-up.  The elimination game is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
 
In wet and much-cooler conditions than Thursday's opening round, the UIndy offense could not manage the timely hit against the Lady Hawks (43-15).  The Greyhounds had multiple base runners in four innings but could not push one across. 
 
But with both teams still scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, Shorter broke through with a big rally, hanging five runs on the board to take control.  The Lady Hawks sent 10 batters to the plate in the frame, racking up four hits and a walk in the process.  None of the balls were hit particularly hard, but Shorter found the holes in the defense, chasing pitcher Morgan Foley from the circle.
 
UIndy's ace escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the third but wasn't as fortunate in the fourth.  Five hitters reached safely before the Hounds could get an out, with two-run singles from Maggie Meacham and Erika Bynum spelling the end of Foley's day.  The Louisville, Ky., native finished with an uncharacteristic line of seven hits, five runs, four walks and three strikeouts to drop to 39-9.
 
Junior Coryn Tirpak recorded the final eight outs for the Hounds, with a fielding error accounting for the only base runner she allowed.
 
Meanwhile, Shorter starter Maddie Bray got the quick hook in the third, but Amanda Blanchard (20-4) came on to pitch 4 2/3 scoreless frames to get the win in relief.
 
Two Greyhounds finished with two hits as sophomore Katie Kelly and junior Jenny Thompson each had a pair of singles.