TRIDELPHIA, W.Va. — The No. 15 UIndy softball team continued their impressive start to the season with two victories at The Highlands Classic, held indoors at the Highlands Sports Complex in Tridelphia, W.Va. They first triumphed over West Liberty University by a score of 7-4, followed by a dominant 16-0 victory against Wheeling University to up their record to a sparkling 8-0. The freshman duo of Caitlin Bunte and Christina Stankus had a particular good day, as Bunte shone in the circle and Stankus was a doubles machine at the plate.

The Greyhounds continue play in West Virginia tomorrow. The start the day with an important region game versus Findlay at 12:30 p.m., followed immediately by a matchup against Indiana (Pa.). Live stats and a video stream will be available here.

GAME 1 | UIndy 7, West Liberty 4
KEY PLAYS
The Greyhounds built their 7-4 victory over West Liberty on consistent scoring through several innings. In the second inning, Shelby Cook reached first on an error, followed by Sydney Oliver reaching on a fielder's choice. Christina Stankus doubled, sending Oliver to third. Brooklyn Willis then singled, driving in Oliver and Stankus, wrapping up the inning with the Hounds ahead 2-0.

The Greyhounds widened their lead in the third inning. Josie Jager singled and scored on a double by Paige Vickery. Stankus doubled once again, this time driving in two runs after Samantha Cook and Oliver reached base. Cara Cooper drew a bases-loaded walk, pushing another run across and extending UIndy's lead to 6-0.

In the fifth inning, singles by Cook and Oliver set the stage for another Stankus double, scoring Cook and making it 7-0.

West Liberty tried to rally in the sixth with two runs and added two more in the seventh, but the Greyhounds held their ground. The final score stood at UIndy 7, West Liberty 4.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
Cheyenne Eads delivered a formidable performance on the mound for the Hounds, pitching 5 1/3 innings, striking out nine, and allowing only four hits and two earned runs. Eads demonstrated control, issuing just one walk over 116 pitches and maintaining a WHIP of 0.98. Despite allowing two doubles, she kept WLU's scoring chances to a minimum, bolstering the team's defensive stance.

Brooklyn Willis made a significant impact with two RBIs and two walks. Shelby Cook contributed three hits, scored twice, and added a stolen base to her stats. Stankus led the offensive charge with three doubles and three RBIs, finishing with three hits in four at-bats.


GAME 2 | UIndy 16, Wheeling 0 (5 inn.)
KEY PLAYS
The Greyhounds set an aggressive pace right from the first inning. Brooklyn Willis singled to left, followed by Cara Cooper with a single to second. After Cheyenne Eads was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, Josie Jager was hit by a pitch too, bringing in Willis for the first run. Christina Stankus doubled to center, driving in two more runs. Paige Vickery contributed with a double to right field, bringing in two additional tallies, and Maya Rodriguez finished the inning with a triple, scoring Vickery. By the end of the first, the Greyhounds were up 6-0.

The momentum continued in the second inning. A leadoff single and a walk set the table for an RBI single by Shelby Cook. A double steal followed, with Stankus swiping home, and later Vickery tacked on a single that scored Cook. By the end of the second, Indianapolis had stretched their lead to 9-0.

In the third, Willis hit a two-run homer after Caitlin Bunte was hit by a pitch. Stankus walked, and Cook singled to left, resulting in another run. Emma Piercy walked, forcing in another run, pushing the Greyhounds' lead to 13-0 by the end of the third.

The fifth inning saw more scoring for the Hounds. Stankus and Abbey Brown both walked, and Kaitlyn Flynn singled to drive in Stankus. Sydney Oliver singled to center, bringing in two more runs. The game concluded with the Greyhounds leading 16-0 after five innings.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
Starting pitcher Caitlin Bunte was in commanding form in the circle, tossing four innings without allowing a run, surrendering just one hit, and striking out seven. She faced 16 batters, showing sharp control with 46 strikes out of 73 pitches and maintaining a WHIP of 0.75. Hailey Thompson stepped in for solid relief, pitching a scoreless inning with one strikeout, allowing no hits or walks over 10 pitches. The duo effectively silenced the Cardinals, allowing only one hit all game.

Willis recorded two hits, including a home run, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Stankus contributed with a double, scored three times, and added two RBIs. Cook chipped in with two hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base.