The Lindenwood softball team (34-8, 21-5 GLVC) picked up a key win over No. 2 UIndy (43-7, 22-4 GLVC) on Friday evening from Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo., splitting the league twin bill in the penultimate series of the regular season.
 
The matchup featured the top two pitching staffs in the GLVC, with UIndy edging Lindenwood in team ERA, 1.25 to 1.45.
 
A bases-clearing double in the first from Lauren Pelton proved to be the difference maker in the opener, as the Lions squeaked out the 4-3 victory. The visiting Greyhounds bounced back in game two, however, earning a 9-0 win to salvage the doubleheader.
 
GAME ONE OVERVIEW
Lindenwood took advantage of uncharacteristic play by the second-ranked Greyhounds in the bottom of the first to grow its lead to four runs before lightning delayed the game for 90 minutes.
 
With the bases loaded and two outs, the Lions plated their first run of the afternoon after a Morgan Gersch grounder ate up UIndy shortstop Piper Belden, the team's second error of the frame. It was then when Pelton pounced on the second pitch of her at-bat, clearing the bases with a smoking liner to center field.
 
Following the weather delay, Lindenwood righty Amanda Weyh settled in before allowing two UIndy runs in the third and another in the sixth. Trailing by a run, Weyh worked around a pair of Greyhound hits with two strikeouts of her own to close out the victory. The junior finished with six whiffs to earn her 21st win from inside the circle this spring.
 
GAME ONE LEADERS
Pelton (1-for-2, 3 RBI, 2B, BB)
Weyh (1-for-2, R, BB, 7.0 IP, 6 K)
Mya Bethany (1-for-3, SB)
 
GAME TWO OVERVIEW
The nightcap was all Greyhounds, who totaled nine runs on 14 hits against five Lindenwood hurlers to snag the series finale. Lions' starter Marina Esparza exited the contest after striking out UIndy's Dominique Proctor due to injury, forcing a bullpen game from the home squad.
 
Madison Corwell tossed two scoreless frames in just her second appearance of the season, striking out opposing batter. Whitney Wendel picked up the lone hit for the Lions on the offensive side, singling up the middle to lead off the bottom of the second, while three teammates – Megan Clark, Riley Luetkenhaus, and Kayla Scholz – each drew a free pass in the loss.
 
GAME TWO LEADERS
Wendel (1-for-3)
Corwell (2.0 IP, K)
Nicole Henson (SB)
 
NOTABLE
- The Lions' game-one win marks the first against UIndy in program history, while it also the team's first win over a ranked opponent since February 22, 2020. Lindenwood defeated then-No. 3 Grand Valley State, 2-1, in 10 innings in Rosemont, Ill.
- Head coach Erin Brown now sits at 399 career wins as a college bench boss, including 382 at the NCAA DII level.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions host No. 16 Southern Indiana on Sunday afternoon for a GLVC doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. Prior to the games, Lindenwood will host Senior Day for its eight seniors.