INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Indianapolis secured a thrilling 9–7 victory in the first game and followed it up with a narrow 4-3 win in the second game of Saturday's double header against the University of Illinois Springfield at Bill Bright Field. In the opener, the Greyhounds capitalized on six walks and two sacrifice flies, maintaining their edge despite being outhit by UIS.

GAME 1 | UIndy 9, UIS 7
Ayden Tran pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs while issuing two walks and striking out one batter. He threw a total of 66 pitches, 42 of which were strikes. Drake Downing relieved Tran, pitching 2 2/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on two hits, including one home run, while walking two and striking out two. Downing threw 53 pitches with 36 strikes and improved his season record to 3-6.

Indianapolis took an early lead in the first inning, scoring four runs. Austin Bode walked and stole second, allowing Bret Perry to drive him in with a single. An error by the pitcher enabled Gavin Duran to reach second and score Perry. Brayton Bowen singled to bring in Duran, and later scored on Garrett Rusch's sacrifice fly, making it 4–1 after one inning.

In the third inning, the Prairie Stars narrowed the gap with three runs. The Greyhounds responded, with Perry walking and later scoring on Bowen's sacrifice fly, extending their lead to 5–4 after three innings.

The fourth inning saw both teams add a run each. Jesse Contreras scored for UIS, while Joey Humphrey scored for Indianapolis on a bunt single from Perry, maintaining a 6–5 lead. Indianapolis added another run in the fifth when Rusch scored off Carter Thomas's double, making it 7–5.

The sixth inning was productive for both sides. Tommy Atkinson hit a two-run homer for UIS, but the Greyhounds countered with two runs. Bowen singled in Duran, and a pinch runner, Nathan Jessup, scored on Rusch's double, bringing the score to 9–7. The game concluded with a scoreless seventh inning, securing a 9–7 victory for the Greyhounds.

Bret Perry delivered a strong performance with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. Bowen added two hits and drove in three runs, contributing significantly to the offense. Rusch recorded three hits, including a double, while also tallying two RBIs. Duran scored twice and executed two sacrifice hits, aiding in run production. The Greyhounds hold a record of 25-19 and are 16-10 in the conference. UIS has a record of 30-14 and stands second in the Big Ten standings with an 18-8 conference record.

GAME 2 | UIndy 4, UIS 3
In the second game, Kaleb Marrs pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out four batters for the Greyhounds. Marrs threw a total of 104 pitches, with 71 of them being strikes, and did not issue any walks. Drake Downing contributed 1 1/3 innings in relief, striking out one and throwing 11 strikes out of 17 pitches. Despite allowing a wild pitch, Downing secured the win, improving his season record to 4-6.

The Greyhounds took an early lead in the first inning with Austin Bode scoring on a double to right field by Chase Mason, making it 1-0. The Prairie Stars tied the game in the second inning after Corey Boyette tripled and scored on a single from Parker Heistand, bringing the score to 1-1.

In the third inning, the Greyhounds regained the lead when Bret Perry scored after Brayton Bowen singled to right field, pushing the score to 2-1. The sixth inning saw UIS briefly take a 3-2 lead after scoring two runs, but the Greyhounds responded in the bottom half. Joey Humphrey scored on Austin Bode's RBI double, tying the game at 3-3.

The Greyhounds secured the winning run in the seventh inning. Austin Pokley, pinch-running for Brayton Bowen, scored on a single up the middle by Joey Humphrey, making it 4-3. The game concluded with the Greyhounds defeating UIS by a final score of 4-3.

Austin Bode contributed with two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Chase Mason added a double and walked twice, while also driving in a run. Joey Humphrey collected two hits and scored once, adding one RBI to his performance. The Greyhounds have a record of 25-20 and are 16-11 in conference play. UIS holds a 30-15 record and is 18-9 in its conference.

UP NEXT 
The Hounds look to secure the series in game four at Bill Bright Field on Sunday April 26, at noon, with Senior Day and Youth Day festivities before the contest.