INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 2-ranked and top-seeded UIndy softball team continued to roll at the NCAA DII Midwest Regional Friday. Behind another shutout from by ace pitcher Kenzee Smith, the Greyhounds notched a 3-0 win against fifth-seeded Saginaw Valley.
 
UIndy's 55th victory of the year not only moved the Hounds to Saturday's regional final but also set a new program record for most wins in a season. UIndy and fourth-seeded Lewis will play for a spot in the Super Regional on Saturday at 11 a.m. With Lewis having already endured a loss at the regional, the Flyers will need to defeat the Greyhounds twice to advance, while UIndy needs just a single win.

?? | @UIndySoftball just set a PROGRAM RECORD with 5?5? wins in a season! pic.twitter.com/L43YGDNGpB

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) May 10, 2024

INS & OUTS
With Smith dealing from the pitcher's circle, the Hounds broke a scoreless tie with a two-run rally in the fourth. An error and a walk set the table for Braxton Downs, whose base knock up the middle scored Emily O'Connor for the first run of the day.
 
Lexy Rees took care of the rest of the runs. She scored on a wild pitch shortly after O'connor crossed the plate, and later went opposite field for a solo home run in the sixth.
 
Smith finished the game with a two-hitter, fanning five and walking only two. She moves to 34-2 on the season, matching her career high for wins.
 
Shelby Cook and Dominique Proctor each had a single, while Downs and Rees both earned a walk.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
-UIndy's win total of 55 surpasses the previous program record of 54 set back in 2013.
-Smith upped her school-record total of shutouts to 19.
-The Hounds have now faced Saginaw Valley eight times in the NCAA Tournament—UIndy's second-most matchups for any postseason opponent. Friday's result marks UIndy first NCAA victory over Saginaw since the 2009 Super Regional.