Former IUS softball players reunited to compete against the 2010 IUS Softball team at the Koetter Sports Softball Complex on Oct. 2.
“This was a way for previous players to come back and enjoy softball again,” IUS head coach Todd Buckingham said. “I haven’t seen a lot of these girls in years. It was a surprise to see all of them on the field.”
Many of the former players were members of the first-ever IUS Softball team.
Wearing old softball T-shirts and uniforms, the former players were seen hugging and reminiscing during the game.
“Everyone’s here to have fun,” Kara Rodden, former player and junior said. “It’s relaxing being able to play the game again without any stress.”
The IUS Softball team scored two runs in the first inning.
The Grenadiers held that lead until the fourth inning, when the alumni team scored its first run of the game.
A fan screamed, “It’s getting ugly,” from the stands as tension rose during the fifth inning. The alumni gained the advantage 5-3.
“We want to win,” Rodden said during the fifth inning. “It’s getting competitive. We’re really excited that we’re beating them.”
The Grenadiers scored two runs in the sixth inning, tying the score at 5-5, but were countered by the alumni with two runs in the top of the seventh inning.
The Grenadiers came back in the bottom of seventh inning with two more runs, including a home run by Katie Jelinek, sophomore infielder.
“I’m proud of Katie for bailing us out in the last inning,” Buckingham said.
“Luckily, the wind was blowing,” Jelinek said ,about her home run.
Jelinek’s home run got the job done, bringing the game to an end result of 8-7.
“A win’s a win,” Buckingham said. “I thought they could be more mentally focused, but I understand that their friends were on the other side of the field,” “They were playing against people they know.”
By BRITTANY POWELL
Staff
bripowel@umail.iu.edu