EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The No. 18 UIndy softball team earned a pair of convincing victories at the Midwest Region Crossover in Evansville, Ind., Saturday. The Greyhounds (9-4) run-ruled Ferris State, 10-1, in five innings before cruising to a 7-1 win against Northwood. All told, the Hounds racked up nine extra-base hits, including three home runs.
 
UIndy 10, Ferris State 1 (5 innings)
The Greyhounds exploded for a season-high 10 runs versus the in-region Bulldogs (0-3). Dani Turner and Taylor Podschweit provided to biggest blows, as each connected on a three-run homer.
 
Hitting in the three-hole for the first time this season, Turner reached base safely in all four plate appearances, scoring twice while driving in four. Natalie Lalich went 3 for 3 with two doubles, while Katie Kelly had a walk, a single and three stolen bases, marking the first time a Greyhound had three or more steals in a game since 2013.
 
After the Hounds jumped on Ferris State with four runs in the first two innnings, Head Coach Melissa Frost gave starter Lauren Honkomp a breather. The freshman tossed two scoreless frames, striking out one and walking zero before being relieved.
 
Crystal Sicard, Jaime Rhodes and Maddie Trost pitched an inning apiece, with Sicard (2-2) getting credited with the win.
 
UIndy 7, Northwood 1
Frost went right back to Honkomp in game two. The 13-year head coach was rewarded with a nine-K, zero-walk complete game from her No. 1 pitcher. The victory upped Honkomp's record to 7-1 on the year.
 
Meanwhile, the Greyhound bats remained hot, hanging seven runs in the board with help from four doubles and another home run.
 
After Lalich's solo shot in the fifth made it 4-1 Hounds, UIndy put the Timberwolves (1-3) away with a three-run sixth. The merry-go-round got spinning when Turner, Tayler Weck and Lalich each had an RBI doubles in the frame.
 
NU senior pitcher Vanessa Ewing (0-1) struck out 12 in the complete-game loss.
 
The Greyhounds take next weekend off before heading to Clermont, Fla., for their annual Spring Break trip Mar. 11-15. The schedule for "THE Spring Games" will be posted when available.