SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The No. 16 UIndy softball team had a successful day at the UIS Springfield Clinic Classic, edging out in-region Lake Erie in a close 3-2 victory in game one, followed by a commanding 12-4 win in the capper. The twin bill was held indoors at the Springfield Clinic Dome at the Scheels Sports Park.
 
GAME 1 | UIndy 3, Lake Erie 2
The Greyhounds struck twice in the third inning and added a crucial insurance run in the fifth. The pivotal third inning saw Cara Cooper and Cheyenne Eads draw walks, setting up Josie Jager for a single that loaded the bases. Shelby Cook delivered a single to drive in Cooper, and an error by Lake Erie's second baseman allowed Eads to score, putting UIndy up 2-0. Lake Erie responded in the fourth with an RBI groundout, cutting the lead to 2-1.
 
UIndy added an crucial run in the fifth. Eads singled, with Christina Stankus pinch running, stealing second, and scoring on a double by Paige Vickery, making it 3-1. Lake Erie added a run in the sixth inning but UIndy's defense held firm in the seventh to seal the win.
 
Caitlin Bunte (3-0) was stellar in the circle for the Greyhounds, pitching a complete game, allowing four hits and two earned runs over seven innings, striking out three and walking just one.
 
Cooper contributed a hit, a run, and a stolen base while Eads added a hit, a run, two walks, and a steal. Sydney Oliver was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 and swiping a base.
 
GAME 2 | UIndy 12, Lake Erie 4
The Hounds scored early and often to seal the sweep, tacking on runs in every inning except the second. UIndy racked up seven extra-base hits in the process, including three apiece by Brooklyn Willis and Shelby Cook.

Willis earned the team's first home run of 2026 with a solo shot in the fourth inning. She finished a triple shy of the cycle, scoring twice and walking once. Speaking of triples, Cook recorded not one, but two three-baggers, moving her to within one of the UIndy career record in the statistic. She added a pair of RBIs while scoring four times.
 
Cheyenne Eads (3-0) got the starting nod in game two, tossing four stellar innings to get the victory. She allowed just one hit while striking out six and walking none. Reliver Josie Jager also had a solid outing, pitching 2 2/3 hitless innings.
  
Sydney Oliver scored all three times she reached base, Maya Rodriguez went 2-for-2 with two ribbies, and Kaitlyn Flynn added a two-run single in the sixth.
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds return to the road next weekend when they head to Triadelphia, W.Va., and the Highland Sports Complex to battle West Liberty and Wheeling on Friday, Feb. 20.