INDIANAPOLIS—The No. 1-seed UIndy softball team opened the NCAA DII Midwest Regional with 1-0 win versus eighth-seeded Hillsdale Thursday afternoon. Kenzee Smith went the distance, shutting out the Chargers and besting their ace, Joni Russell.
 
The Greyhounds advance to the winners' bracket game to face Lewis at 11 a.m. ET tomorrow in a rematch of the GLVC Tournament final. Lewis also collected a win Thursday, downing Illinois Springfield, 3-0.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Runs were at a premium in the marquee pitching matchup. Both Smith (GLVC Pitcher of the Year) and Russell (GMAC Pitcher of the Year) were coming off award-winning regular seasons and both looked the part on Thursday.
 
But the UIndy offense found a way in the bottom of the third, starting with Tori Angles' leadoff single—the first hit of the game off Russell. It was the only hit the Hounds needed, as a walk (Jocelyn Calvin), a sac bunt (Megan Nichols) and a sacrifice fly (Emily O'Connor) brought Angles all the way around to score.
 
Smith finished with a two-hitter, striking out nine and walking only two. She recorded her 13th shutout of the year in the process and moved to 32-4.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
-O'Connor's sac fly was good for her 65th RBI on the season, tying the school record.
-Besides Angles' aforementioned knock, UIndy sprinkled in three more hits on the day: a double by Shelby Cook and singles from Calvin and Maddy Stout.
-Stout also earned a hit by pitch, upping her school-record total to 19 on the year.
-Lexy Rees ended a potential rally in the sixth with a successful pick off move to first base for the third out.