SAU Advances with Two Wins, Highlighted by IWU Upset

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University softball team delivered a statement day in Crossroads League Tournament play, earning a pair of wins on Wednesday, including a 3-2 extra-inning upset of No. 23-ranked and top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University.

The Cougars opened the day with a 1-0 victory over Taylor University before rallying past Indiana Wesleyan in eight innings, highlighted by home runs from Grace Lentz and Grace Luby.

In game one against Taylor, freshman pitcher Alexyn DuBois was outstanding, tossing a complete game shutout while allowing just six hits and striking out five.

Spring Arbor scored the game's only run in the top of the sixth inning when Emilee Underwood ripped a double down the left field line to bring home Summer Ambler.

The Cougars sealed the win with strong defense in the seventh. With the tying run on second and two outs, TU's Lizzy Sinders singled to left, but Luby threw out the runner at the plate to end the game.

In game two, Spring Arbor struck first when Lentz launched a solo home run in the second inning. Indiana Wesleyan answered in the bottom half of the inning, but Brooke Meeker delivered an RBI double in the third to put SAU back on top.

The Wildcats tied the game again in the fourth, and the score remained deadlocked through seven innings to force extras.

In the eighth, Luby delivered once again, leading off the inning with a solo home run to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead.

Underwood then shut the door in the bottom half, retiring the side in order to secure the win. She went the distance in the circle, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while striking out four.

Spring Arbor will return to action on Thursday, April 30 at 3 p.m. against University of Saint Francis. The winner will advance to the Crossroads League Tournament championship game.