Grenadiers Split Doubleheader With Saint Francis

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU Southeast softball team split a doubleheader with Saint Francis (Illinois) on Sunday, falling 7-2 before winning 2-1 in the nightcap for head coach Tiffany Buckmaster's first win at IU Southeast.

In game one, Saint Francis scored first with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Maddy Eckberg singled to right to score Madisen Tucker. A sacrifice fly by Brittany Osborne made it 2-0.

The Fighting Saints (1-1) blew the game open in the third with a five-run fifth inning, aided by two Grenadier errors.

Brooklyn Gibbs retired the first two batters and then walked Tucker to extend the inning. After an error by Lindsey Nelson, the Fighting Saints had runners on second and third. An error by Ellie Jackman allowed Tucker to score and loaded the bases. A bases-clearing double by Eckberg continued the rally and Eckberg was driven in when Osborne singled to center.

IU Southeast (1-3) scored in third and the fourth innings. In the third, Haley McFarling singled and scored on a RBI double by Katie Cook. But Cook was stranded there as the Grenadiers were retired in order.

Ellie Jackman led off the fourth with a double and moved to third on a single by Erin Templeman. Macie Zink drove in Jackman but was out after passing Templeman and the rally eventually stalled.

The Grenadiers threatened in the fifth after Nelson singled and Jackman reached on an error with one out but a pop out and a strikeout ended the inning.

In game two, the Fighting Saints got the early lead once again with a run in the second inning. Bridgett McDermott singled to center, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a two-out, RBI single by Kenna Kleinert.

The Grenadier offense could not get anything going until the sixth inning. Lindsey Nelson reached first on an error and moved to second on a groundout. Erin Templeman followed with a double to tie the game. Macie Zink singled to right to put runners on the corners which chased starter Hannah Vachon. McDermott came in to pitch and got a groundout to second by Hannah Nunemaker but pinch runner Emilee Edwards was able to score from third.

In the seventh, Saint Francis had runners on first and second with two out but starter Meghan Waggoner was able to get a ground ball to short and Zink stepped on the bag at second to end the game.

Waggoner worked all seven innings and allowed one run on four hits. She walked three and struck out six for her first collegiate win.

IU Southeast heads to the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic on Friday in Columbus, Ga.