JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The University of Indianapolis gathered the last two wins to secure the 4-0 series sweep against Lincoln on Sunday. The bats were hot for the Hounds, who gathered 27 hits between the two contests, winning game one 21-2, before winning their tenth-straight game 10-4. 

GAME 1 | UIndy 21, Lincoln 2
In the second game, the Greyhounds delivered a commanding performance, tallying 21 runs on 17 hits, including a 10-run fourth inning. Kaleb Marrs pitched 4 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 3 batters. He threw 65 pitches, 43 of which were strikes, and walked one batter. Jeryn Shortt followed with 2 innings, giving up 1 hit, issuing 1 walk, and hitting 2 batters. He struck out 2 and threw 20 strikes out of 31 pitches. Carmine Mercadante closed with 1 inning, during which he hit one batter and threw a wild pitch, delivering 6 strikes out of 11 pitches.

The Greyhounds opened the scoring in the second inning. Garrett Rusch singled and advanced to third, scoring on a throwing error. Carter Thomas, who advanced to third on Joey Humphrey's bunt single, scored on a sacrifice bunt by Bret Perry. The inning ended with the Greyhounds leading 2-0. In the third inning, Austin Bode and Gavin Duran walked, setting the stage for Chase Mason's double to right center, which brought both runners home. Mason later scored on an RBI groundout by Rusch, extending the Greyhounds' lead to 5-2.

The fourth inning saw a surge from the Greyhounds. Carter Thomas and Luke Smock singled, and both scored on a single by Bode, aided by a fielding error. Duran's single plated two more runs, while Garrett Rusch and Brayton Bowen added RBI hits. Bode doubled, driving in three more runs, concluding the inning with the Greyhounds ahead 15-2. In the fifth, Chase Mason reached on an error and scored on a two-run homer by Jack Kerno, extending the lead to 17-2.

The Greyhounds continued their offensive in the sixth, adding two more runs. Austin Pokley and Kerno reached base, later scoring on a single by Bowen, making it 19-2. The seventh inning saw the Greyhounds score twice more. Luke Smock doubled and scored on Duran's single, followed by Kerno's RBI single, concluding the game 21-2.

Bret Perry contributed with two runs and two RBIs, showcasing his ability to impact the game both at the plate and on the bases. Bode added to the team's offense by scoring two runs and driving in four, including a double. Kerno provided power with a home run, two hits, and three RBIs, solidifying his presence in the lineup. Duran also made a significant impact, recording three runs and three RBIs while collecting two hits.

GAME 2 | UIndy 10, Lincoln 4
The Greyhounds tallied 10 runs on 10 hits, while Lincoln managed four runs with nine hits. Ryan O'Born delivered a strong start for Indianapolis, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing only one earned run on four hits while striking out two and walking three. He threw a total of 76 pitches, with 45 strikes, and earned the win to improve his record to 4-2. Reliever Drake Downing took over, pitching 3 2/3 innings where he allowed one earned run on five hits and struck out six. Downing threw 68 pitches, with 51 strikes, and was credited with his fifth save of the season.

Indianapolis secured the victory by scoring in key innings throughout the game. In the first inning, the Greyhounds took an early lead with Bret Perry singling through the left side and Austin Bode walking. Gavin Duran doubled to left field, scoring Perry, and Chase Mason followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Bode, making it 2-0. The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning when Indianapolis added another run. Duran reached on a throwing error and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mason. Solen Munson singled to right center, allowing Duran to score an unearned run, extending the lead to 3-1.

In the seventh inning, Luke Smock's single and a subsequent error allowed him to advance to third. Perry was hit by a pitch and later stole second. Duran struck out but reached first on a passed ball, which enabled Smock to score. Mason singled up the middle, driving in Perry, and Garrett Rusch added an RBI single, bringing Duran home, pushing the lead to 6-3. The eighth inning saw Indianapolis widen the gap further. Smock singled and stole second before Perry walked. Bode doubled, scoring Smock, and Mason's sacrifice fly brought Perry across the plate, increasing the advantage to 8-3. In the ninth, Rusch was hit by a pitch and later scored on Carter Thomas's double. Thomas then stole third, and Smock's sacrifice fly brought him home, solidifying a 10-4 final score.

Mason contributed significantly with three RBIs, driving in key runs for the team. Perry showed versatility by scoring three runs and stealing a base. Thomas showcased his speed on the base paths with two stolen bases and also added a double. Smock was productive at the plate, scoring two runs and collecting two hits.

UP NEXT
The Greyhounds return to Bill Bright Field for a four-game series against the UMSL, with game one on Friday, April 17 at 3 p.m.