Purdue Fort Wayne
Wright State
IPFW Salvages Split with Wright State
4/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 30, 2008
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
Fort Wayne, IN - The IPFW Mastodons (15-20) got out of two bases loaded jams; while also hitting a grand slam in a six-run fifth inning; to record a double header split with the Wright State University Raiders (26-24).
The `Dons fell behind early in the opener, as Wright State scored four runs in the top of the first inning and then three more in the second to open a 7-0 lead through an inning and a half.
IPFW rallied with a run of their own in the bottom of the second inning, when Ty Lambert drove in Tara Mickelson with a single up the middle, cutting the deficit to six at 7-1. Wright State put an end to any comeback hopes by scoring five more runs in the top of the third inning, pushing themselves into a 12-1 advantage.
The `Dons scored once in both the fourth and fifth innings; the first when Beatrice Pedraza grounded out, scoring Lambert, before Kristina Karpun doubled in Abby Liden in the fifth frame.
Lambert was a perfect 2-for-2 in the opener with a run scored and another driven in, with Liden going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Kayla Powell picked up the loss in the pitching circle, going two innings and allowing five earned runs. Rachel Staschuk pitched three innings of relief, allowing five earned runs on four hits, while striking out three.
The Raiders opened the second game with a run in the top of the first inning, but were held scoreless for the next two innings. WSU scored another run in the fourth inning to open a 2-0 lead, and looked to have the momentum after scoring two runs in the fifth inning; however, it was IPFW getting out of a bases loaded jam with a strikeout and fly out that gave the `Dons a quick boost.
IPFW would make good use of their newly found enthusiasm, coming out of the gate in the bottom of the fifth frame in strong fashion, loading the bases with one out, before Staschuk walked, bringing in Amanda Olender, and ending the shutout bid for the Raiders. The next batter, Abby Liden, took the `Dons from trailing 4-1 to leading 5-4 with a grand slam to left center field. Mickelson followed with a solo home run, giving IPFW the 6-4 advantage.
The Raiders were retired in order in the top of the sixth inning, but put their first three batters of the seventh inning on base, loading the bases with no outs with Division I RBI and slugging percentage leader Jherica Williams coming to the plate. Relief pitcher Staschuk would not be intimated, striking out the senior, before Pedraza made a highlight-reel catch in center field, saving at least two runs with the diving stab in the left-center gap, forcing the runners to scramble back to their original bases. Staschuk followed with her second strikeout of the inning, picking up the first save of her young career.
Karpun and Pedraza were each 2-for-3 in the evening game, with Liden driving in a game-best four runs. Six different players scored the team's six runs, as Mickelson and Liden hit their fifth and sixth home runs, respectively. Amanda Olender evened her record at 8-8 on the year after pitching six strong innings, striking out four and allowing three earned runs. Staschuk picked up the save, going one inning and striking out a pair.
IPFW next plays host to the Ladies of Centenary College over the weekend, in the final Summit League series of the 2008 season.
