Grenadiers Split Doubleheader With No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan To Open 2023 Season

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – The IU Southeast softball team dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan before walking off with a 1-0 victory in the nightcap on Friday to open the 2023 season for the Grenadiers.

In game one, the Wildcats got a runner to third in the top of the first with one out. Kamryn Buck flied out to right field into foul territory and Jennah Yost took off from third to try and score.

A strong throw by Autumn Oehlstrom beat the runner and Taylor Hoggatt applied the tag for the double play to end the inning.

In the second inning, Indiana Wesleyan had another runner at third with two outs, but a groundout to third ended the threat.

Savannah Gaither's bid for extra bases was denied in the third inning when Julianne Bell made a leaping catch in center field.

In the top of the fourth, Buck reached on a base hit and scored on a two-run home run to center by Elisa Koshy.

Later in the inning, a walk loaded the bases and a RBI groundout by Chloe Tragesser extended the lead to 3-0.

IU Southeast did not record their first hit until the fifth inning when Kendall Brown singled to right

They did rally in the bottom of the seventh. Autumn Oehlstrom reached on a one out, base-hit to second.

Kendall Brown got the Grenadiers on the board with two-out, two-run home run to left for her first collegiate home run which cut the lead to 3-2.

But IU Southeast would not be able to get the tying run on.

Kendall Brown was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored in the loss. Brooklyn Gibbs worked four innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits while walking two.

Hannah Nunemaker worked three innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out a batter.

In game two, Cassi Roman got the Grenadier offense going in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double to left.

She was caught stealing and the next two batters grounded out to end the inning.

In the top of the third, the Wildcats put runners at first and third with two out.  Courtney Thomas stole second to put runners at second and third but starter Issy Wright got out of the jam with a groundout. 

The Grenadiers put runners at the corners with two out in the bottom of the fourth when Oehlstrom doubled and Macie Zink singled to the infield.

But Brown grounded out to end the inning.

The Wildcats moved a runner to third on a sacrifice in the top of the fifth, but Wright got out of trouble again when she struck out Thomas looking.

The Grenadiers had another chance with two on and two out in the sixth but Macie Zink grounded out.

After Wright retired the side in order in the seventh, Brown doubled to left to open the bottom of the inning. After a groundout, Wright singled up the middle to bring in Brown and get the walkoff winner for IU Southeast.

Wright went 2-for-3 with a RBI and got the complete-game shutout for her first collegiate win. She allowed five hits and a walk while striking out two.

The Grenadiers host Calumet College of St. Joseph Saturday at 1 p.m. at Jeffersonville High School.