INDIANAPOLIS—The UIndy softball wrapped up its 2023 season on Friday afternoon, falling to visiting Grand Valley State at the NCAA DII Midwest Super Regional. The region's top two teams battled for the right to represent the Midwest at the upcoming NCAA DII Championship, with the Lakers coming out on top in a tight 4-3 final.
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The Greyhounds totaled 53 wins on the season, second-most in program history. They captured the GLVC regular season title and earned they 15th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth—the longest active streak in the Midwest.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
The Greyhounds jumped in front with three runs in the early going, all coming via the long ball.
Maddy Stout, who has been clutch all postseason, delivered the first blow with a two-run shot in the second inning. Senior slugger
Emily O'Connor followed suit in the fourth, as her line drive to left cleared the fence in nearly the same spot.
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The two dingers came off of Grand Valley ace Hannah Beatus, who had allowed just three home runs all season going into the day.
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The designated home team on the scoreboard, the Lakers finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI double from first baseman Kelsey Komorous sparked the rally, while three infield singles and two walks fueled it. Four runs would cross the plate before the inning ended, giving the Lakers a slim one-run lead.
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The Hounds would get a single in both the fifth (
Shelby Cook) and sixth (
Sydnee Perry) innings but both runners were ultimately stranded.
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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-All-American pitcher
Kenzee Smith would take the loss, ending her season with a stellar 34-6 record.
-Stout's home run added to her impressive postseason resume this spring, as she also had a
walkoff double in the 11th inning versus Lewis at the regional and an eighth-inning,
game-winning homer against USML at the GLVC Tournament.
-O'Connor's blast gave her 68 RBIs on the year, upping her own school record total.
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