Purdue Fort Wayne
Western Illinois
Westerwinds Sweep Past Mastodons 4-0 and 6-2
5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 1, 2009
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
Fort Wayne, IN - The Western Illinois Westerwinds scored in just three separate innings, however, made good use of those three times, scoring at least three runs in each, cruising to a pair of victories on Friday afternoon.
After holding Western Illinois (30-17, 20-2 Summit League) scoreless in the top of the first, things looked promising for IPFW, as leadoff hitter Kaylee Faurote hit a sharp double to right center field; however, the freshman would remain stranded on base.
The Westerwinds responded by scoring four two-out runs in the top of the second inning, representing all of the scoring for the contest.
IPFW (14-23, 9-12 Summit League) would be held hitless for the next five innings, before Stacey Swinford and Rachel Staschuk each singled in the sixth. Despite getting the two players on base, the 'Dons were unable to push any across the board, securing the conference victory for the visitors.
With the loss, IPFW's narrow chances of making the Summit League tournament for a second straight year were dashed, as the 'Dons needed to sweep WIU, and then get help from UMKC against Southern Utah.
Faurote, Staschuk, and Swinford picked up all three hits for the 'Dons, as Staschuk picked up the loss in the circle, pitching the first four innings, scattering six hits and giving up four runs, all earned while striking out two. Courtney Cronin pitched the final three innings of relief, giving up just two hits and striking out one.
Julie DePolo was 3-for-4 for the visitors, as she also drove in two runs, with Kamren Ferguson improving to 18-7 on the season in the circle, pitching the shutout by striking out seven and walking one.
In the nightcap the Mastodons scored first, when they ran together hits by Heather Genovese and Jil Price to score Beatrice Pedraza and Genovese, pushing IPFW ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning.
The Westerwinds wasted no time in making up the difference, as they scored three runs in the top of the third frame, before adding three more insurance runs in the top of the fifth, to give the game its 6-2 final score.
Kristina Karpun was 3-for-4 while Price was 2-for-3 and Faurote 2-for-4 in the losing effort. Staschuk fell to 4-10 on the season, picking up the loss for the second straight game, striking out one, giving up five hits and three runs, all earned, in two and a third inning of work. Cronin pitched the final four and two-thirds of an inning, giving up seven hits and allowing three runs, all earned.
Western Illinois shortstop Lauren Furgala was 3-for-4 at the plate, with three players, Jamie Goss, beth Golitko, and Lori Pankratz each picking up two hits, as Golitko and Pankratz each drove in a pair. Pankratz pitched the entire seven innings, giving up two runs, only one of which was earned, while striking out six and walking one.
The Mastodons end their season on Saturday morning at 11:30 AM, when the two teams meet for the third and final game of their Summit League series, in senior day for IPFW's lone senior, Bea Pedraza.
~Dons~
