OZARK, Mo. – Trailing by two heading into the seventh inning, the end was coming near for the UIndy baseball team on Thursday evening at U.S. Baseball Park in the first round of the GLVC Championship Tournament. Looking to not face elimination after just one game, the Greyhound plated eight in the frame to lead 10-4 against Drury, which held for the final score as Dylan Stutsman closed out a quality start by Jake Sprinkle.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Second-team all-GLVC honoree Storm Joop provided the thunder immediately for the Hounds, blasting a solo shot on the first pitch of the game. After UIndy added another run in the top of the second, the East Division's top seed Panthers scored three in the bottom half to take a 3-2 lead after just a pair.
 
Three silent innings went by as both pitchers began to settle in before the Greyhounds exploded for eight runs in the top of the seventh. All-GLVC designated hitter Dylan Jones flipped one into left field to give the Greyhounds back the lead with one out in the frame, while Macy Holdsworth and Devon Hensley knocked in insurance runs soon after.
 
Joop drove in another couple Greyhounds, including Tyler Phillips, who had his second of two hits on the day one batter prior. Hunter Waning, who also earned all-conference honors for the season, plated the Hounds' 10th run of the day. Sprinkle went eight innings, allowing four runs (three earned), while striking seven Panthers, while Stutsman punched out a pair to end the game.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Six Greyhounds recorded two-hit games on the afternoon, while Joop and Waning led the way with three RBI apiece. Holdsworth and Phillips each scored twice.
 
Today marked just the third time Sprinkle went at least eight innings, and the first time since the conference-opening series at Lewis. It is also the second time in the past four starts the junior has struck out seven.
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds play Maryville tomorrow evening at 4 p.m. local time from U.S. Baseball Park. UIndy defeated the Saints in both games the teams played against each other back in March.