INDIANAPOLIS – Jackson Kirkpatrick was simply dominant in 4 2/3 innings of work for the UIndy baseball team today, recording 14 total outs, 13 of which came via strikeout. His performance cemented the Greyhounds 14th-straight victory, improving upon the 11-0 streak the Hounds went on last season to start the year.
 
The collection of victories coincides with conference play as the Hounds have firmly placed themselves first in the GLVC with a record of 12-0, the next closest being Maryville who sits at 9-2.
 
Outside of Kirkpatrick, it was a team effort from the Hounds as Luis Vergara blasted a grand slam in the eighth to tally four RBIs, and with Cole Hampton hammering a ball down the line in sixth for two of his three RBIs. Will Spear, the second half of the battery, was also lethal from the plate, going 4 for 5 with an RBI triple to his day.
 
INS & OUTS
The strikeout party got going early for the towering righty, as Kirkpatrick punched out the side, all swinging to get the crowd excited.
 
 
The Hounds and Bearcats traded runs in the second frame, with UIndy scratching across a pair, the first coming via the Spear triple, the second from a bases-loaded Drew Donaldson walk. That was the scoring method for the Hounds once again in the bottom of the fourth, this time it being Hampton to make the trot as it became a 3-1 ballgame.
 
SBU did not go softly into the night however, scoring two on an up-the-middle single, evening it at three-apiece. With the Hounds needing a jolt of energy, Hampton came knocking as with Donaldson at second and Armen Torosian at first, Hamtpon roped a ball down the left field line allowing both runners to score and re-gifting the Hounds the lead.
 
Even with the lead, the feeling that the big one was still coming for the Hounds was in the air, and it finally did in the bottom of the eighth. After a Dakota Sill bases-loaded single rotated the baserunners, it was Luis Vergara who delivered the death blow to the Bearcats, taking a 2-0 slider way deep to left field for his first grand slam in the Crimson and Grey.
 
 
The bullpen was lights out as well in the contest, as Payton Plym, Austin Bestul and E.J. White combined for 4 1/3 innings of scoreless work.
 
HOUND BYTES

Hear from the battery ?? and the Grand Slam man after today's ??-3?? victory over SBU! ?? pic.twitter.com/V3iKSPBHOk

— UIndy Baseball (@UIndyBaseball) March 24, 2024

UP NEXT
The Hounds will look to continue their red-hot streak at home as they welcome in the stout Rockhurst Hawks starting on Thursday, March 28. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Greyhound Park.