CHATHAM, Ill.—The ninth-ranked UIndy softball team opened Great Lakes Valley Conference play with an exciting doubleheader sweep at Illinois Springfield Saturday. After pulling away for a 9-1 win in game 1, freshman Shelby Cook ended a late slatemate in the capper with a game-winning three-run home run in the top of the seventh in an eventual 5-3 victory.
 
Originally scheduled to be played on UIS's campus, the games were moved to the turf fields of Spartan Sports Park in nearby Chatham, Ill.
 
GAME 1 | UIndy 9, UIS 1
The Hounds were locked in a pitchers' duel until they broke through with a two-out rally in the top of the fifth to build a 5-1 cushion. Three Greyhounds crossed the plate in the frame, including two on a two-run blast from Lexy Rees.
 
UIndy tacked on with three more runs in the top of the sixth and one more in the top of the seventh. Tori Angles added a late two-run single, while Maddy Stout and Jocelyn Calvin chipped in an RBI knock apiece.
 
Meanwhile, pitching ace Kenzee Smith (14-3) upheld her part in the duel, striking out seven while while allowing just one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings. Freshman Alexa Huth came on to get the final two outs, both via strikeout.
 
UIndy's five through nine hitters each finished with two hits. Sydnee Perry had a solo homer in the second inning, Dominique Proctor scored twice and Calvin (2-for-2, 2 BB) reached base safely in all four plate appearances.
 
GAME 2 | UIndy 5, UIS 3
With the score deadlocked at 2-2, the Greyhounds were down to their final out of regulation in top of the seventh. Perry singled through the left side to keep the inning alive and set the stage for Cook.
 
Already a two-time GLVC Player of the Week, the freshman out of Murphysboro, Ill., took ball one before yanking the second pitch over the right field fence to give the lead.
 
The Prairie Stars mustered one more run in the bottom of the seventh before sophomore pitcher Jayden Casebolt (6-0) fanned the game's final hitter to complete the sweep. She got the win after striking out six in four innings in relief work.
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds head north to battle the Lewis Flyers tomorrow. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. ET.