Indianapolis, IN - Weather had crept into the Indianapolis area overnight, but it was nothing new for the 14th-ranked McKendree University Softball team, who was getting ready for their first-ever NCAA Super-Regional appearance, battling a conference foe in the second-ranked UIndy Greyhounds. Outside of some additional field preparations from the Greyhounds' (59-6) grounds crew, it was all systems go for the third battle of the season between UIndy and the Bearcats (47-15). McKendree struck right away, the Greyhounds threw a counter-punch, and a critical hit late created just enough cushion for the Bearcats to get a 3-2 win. UIndy will now need to win games two and three of the series tomorrow, while McKendree needs to just win one in order to advance to the DII Softball Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Blink, and you missed it. Just nine pitches into the game, Bearcat shortstop and GLVC Player of the Year Lauren Harris slugged her 52nd career home run and 19th of the 2026 season to give McKendree a jolt of energy and an early 1-0 lead.
Thanks to the efforts of GLVC Co-Pitcher of the Year Sami Huck, the Greyhounds were unable to answer until the bottom of the third with two outs, tying it up on an RBI single.
Meanwhile, the Bearcats nearly flipped the script right away after a leadoff single from Ali Grenzebach, but she was stranded. UIndy stranded go-ahead runs in the fourth and fifth, but a strikeout and a fielder's choice, respectively, kept the lead intact.
In the top of the sixth, Molly Bartz drew a two-out walk, then Addie Clark reached on an error, setting the table for Trista Moore. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Moore lined one out to right. It left a tough judgment call of whether to dive or not for the Greyhound right fielder, and stretching out on the run, the play was not made, and Moore hustled all the way to third for a two-run triple, giving McKendree a late but crucial two-run lead.
However, UIndy nearly turned the game on its head quite promptly. A walk, single, and walk loaded the bases with just one out on the board. After a pinch-hit RBI groundout cut the Bearcat lead to one, Huck drew a second-pitch flyout to Moore to strand what could've very well been the game-winning runs for the host Greyhounds.
Come time for the top of the seventh, Lauren Harris roped a first-pitch single up the middle, but would be stranded, leaving a one-run door open for UIndy in the bottom half.
Alas, that door would shut. After Huck and the McKendree defense got two outs on five pitches - a groundout to Harris and a lineout to Moore - a hit by pitch after an eight-pitch battle put the walkoff run at the plate. After a pinch hitter was called for along with a mid-at-bat pinch runner, Huck would face a full count with nowhere to put that potential third run. Huck got the swing and miss she needed, striking out the final batter of the game and giving McKendree the win over the #2 Greyhounds.
As previously addressed, McKendree now needs just one victory on Friday to advance to their first-ever NCAA DII Softball Championship, whether that win would come in game two or game three. However, the Greyhounds must now take both games from the Bearcats to advance. Friday's start time was altered to 9:00 AM central due to expected weather in the mid-to-late afternoon hours of the day in Indianapolis.
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM LAUREN HARRIS
On what it meant to get that home run early
"I think it was important to set the tone. I mean, she's (UIndy's Caitlin Bunte) a great pitcher. That helped the team realize that we're able to hit her."
On what kind of confidence she had in Sami Huck with the lead, as small as it may have been initially
"I always have confidence in Sam. I just want to make sure she's comfortable out there and she doesn't have to feel any type of stress or anything like that."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM SAMI HUCK
On what sort of pressure there may be at her position, knowing how close the regular season meetings were
"Today, I really didn't feel a lot of pressure. That's why I think I threw the way I did - just trying to act like it's any other game."
On if being somewhat familiar with the facilities in Indianapolis helps this time of year, versus a completely new facility
"I do think it was a lot easier - knowing the field, knowing the bullpen, knowing the indoor facility. I think it just let us play more comfortably."
On what sort of extra effort comes out of players with careers on the line
"At the beginning of regionals, I was very, very timid. I was very nervous. I just realized I've got to play and have fun, just compete. Play for my teammates, play for myself."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM COACH HEATHER TARTER
On how important it was to go into this game calm
"What's nice for us is we're playing someone different. I think the pressure of playing a team (Rockhurst) eight times allowed us to settle in for this game. We're playing in a venue that we've been to. It's just coming out and playing our game. Our comfortability, our calmness - it started from pitch one."
On the truth of the cliche about big time plays from big time players in the postseason
"I think what's great about our team is that throughout the year, we've had different players step up. Yes, these two (Huck and Harris) are consistent for us, but we have other players that are capable of stepping up. One through nine, everyone has had a big moment at some point throughout the season."
On the message to the team ahead of tomorrow
"Just be us. We saw a ton of pitches today. We out-hit them today. We were very comfortable in the box. We were comfortable on defense. We want to set the tone early."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
2026 Midwest Super Regional - Game Two*
@ #2 UIndy Greyhounds (59-6)
Friday, May 22nd - 9:00 AM CST
at Baumgartner Field - Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch Live (NCAA.com)
Live Stats (NCAA.com)
Tickets (GoFan)
*If necessary game would follow at 11:30 AM CST if UIndy wins the 9AM game.
