INDIANAPOLIS—The No. 1-seed UIndy softball team fell to second-seeded Grand Valley State, 3-1, in the opening game of the NCAA DII Midwest Super Regional on Thursday. The visiting Lakers managed a two-run rally in the top of the sixth inning that proved to be the difference.
 
The two Midwest powerhouses return to Baumgartner Field tomorrow to determine the Midwest champ. First pitch of game 2 is scheduled for noon ET, with a UIndy victory forcing a winner-take-all game 3.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Two of the best pitchers in the nation went toe-to-toe on a perfect spring afternoon. All-Americans Kenzee Smith (2nd in DII in wins) and Hannah Beatus (3rd in DII in ERA) battled to a 1-1 tie through five innings until the Laker offense came up with the timely hit in the sixth.
 
With the bases loaded and two outs, GV's Hannah Hollister lifted a soft liner over the shortstop to plate two huge runs that proved decisive. Both runs were unearned.
 
UIndy's one tally came in the bottom of the third. Jocelyn Calvin earned a one-out walk and later scored on an RBI single by Emily O'Connor. The ribbie was good for No. 67 on the season for the Greyhound third baseman, upping her own school-record total.
 

?? | A two-out ribbie from Emily O'Connor ties it up!!@UIndySoftball x #D2SB pic.twitter.com/KM5Cs4cIOB

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) May 18, 2023

 
Smith took the loss to fall to 34-5. She surrendered four hits and struck out seven in the complete-game effort.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
-Like O'Connor, Maddy Stout added to her own single-season record, as a fourth-inning hit by pitch gave her 21 on the year.
-O'Connor also earned an HBP while Calvin a second walk as both all-region players reached base twice on the afternoon.
-Megan Nichols accounted for the Hounds' only other hit with a first-inning single.
-Starting left fielder Grace Mosele made a diving catch in the third inning.
-Smith garnered her first at bats of the season, going 0-for-3 in three plate appearances.