INDIANAPOLIS - The No. 11 UIndy softball team went 1-1 against Mercyhurst Sunday in the second day of doubleheaders, held on the turf field of local Beech Grove High School. The Greyhounds took the four-game series versus the Lakers, finishing their opening weekend at 3-1.

GAME 1 | UIndy 8, Mercyhurst 0 (6 innings)
The Hounds added some tallies to the board in the first inning. A single by Lexy Rees and a double by Braxton Downs allowed their teammate on base to advance to home plate, ending the first inning with a score of 2-0.
 
Similarly in the third, Shelby Cook and Megan Nichols hit singles that helped the runners on base to make it home. This added another two runs for UIndy entering the fifth leading the Lakers by five.
 
Emily O'Connor hit the ball out the park in the fifth, her first home run of the season. Braxton Downs was on base after a single of her own, tallying two more runs for the Greyhounds. The Hounds closed out the game with a go-ahead run off a walk and a sacrifice fly hit by Sydnee Perry.
 
Starting pitcher Kenzee Smith carried a perfect game into the fifth inning, retiring the first 12 batters in order before the Lakers managed their first base runner. Smith finished the game with a one-hitter, striking out four and walking zero.
 
GAME 2 | UIndy 2, Mercyhurst 4
Jayden Casebolt got the start in game two and tossed 5 2/3 scoreless frames before surrendering a two-out, solo home runt — the Lakers first run on the weekend. Mercyhurst struck again in the top of the seventh with three more tallies to take 4-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

The Greyhounds nearly come all the way back to one last rally. Sydnee Perry provided a spark with a two-run shot to left to halve the lead. Cook and Calvin followed with singles, and the Hounds eventually put the tying run at second base before the Lakers managed to get the third out and escape with the win.

WEEKEND NOTES
- UIndy finished the four-game series with 13 stolen bases in 13 attempts.
- Grad-transfer Braxton Downs and freshmen Cara Cooper, Emma Piercy, Abby Maguire and Addy Neal all made their Greyhound debuts this weekend.
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds visit Nashville next weekend to compete in the Music City Invitational. Hosted by Trevecca Nazarene, the tournament will take place on Friday, Feb. 16 and go through Feb. 17. UIndy faces Thomas More first at 3 p.m. on Friday.