EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the second straight day, the UIndy softball team (33-21) came up on the short end of a one-run contest at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional, held in Evansville, Ind., this week. Friday's final came in an elimination game versus Grand Valley State, with the Lakers edging the Greyhounds, 1-0, to end the latter's 2017 season.
 
The result marked the end of the collegiate careers of seniors Katie Kelly, Natalie Lalich, Dani Turner and Tayler Weck. The quartet helped the Hounds to a combined 176-55 (.762) record the last four years, a span that includes four NCAA Tournament appearances, a conference championship last season and a regional title in 2015.

The proceedings quickly turned into another pitchers' duel at USI Softball Field. After just five combined hits in UIndy's extra-inning game yesterday, including only one through regulation, neither starter surrendered a base knock until the bottom of the sixth.
 
UIndy's Lauren Honkomp (22-12) was dealing through five. She walked the first batter she faced but then retired 15 in a row before Grand Valley junior Jessica Ramos poked one through the right side for a leadoff single.
 
The Lakers (33-17) finally broke through with an unearned tally in the aforementioned sixth frame. After Ramos' knock, a sac bunt, a second ground-ball single and a hit batsman followed, loading the bases ahead of All-GLIAC first teamer Jenna Lenza. She towards the hole in the left side, with Weck making a diving stop before firing it home. With the base runner charging down the line and eventually making hard contact, catcher Julia Liceaga couldn't hang on, giving the Lakers the one and only score of the day.
 
Meanwhile, GV starter Allison Lipovsky (16-4) went on to complete her first career no-hitter. She fanned 11 and walked three in the complete-game win.
 
Lalich, Kelly and Taylor Podschweit each earned a base on balls, and Jessie Noone had a sacrifice bunt.
 
The Lakers immediately move on to another elimination game, this time versus GLIAC-champ Saginaw Valley. The winner will need to beat host Southern Indiana tomorrow to move on to next week's Midwest Super Regional.