Karpun Hit Caps IPFW Comeback

Saturday, March 26

Fort Wayne, Ind.

1:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

11-8-1, 5-4

North Dakota State

12-21, 2-4

North Dakota State

IPFW

Kristina Karpun drove in the game-winning run for IPFW in its comeback over North Dakota State

3/26/2011 3:40:45 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

Fort Wayne, IN - A bases loaded single by senior Kristina Karpun put the exclamation point on a five-run seventh-inning comeback for IPFW, as the Mastodons turned a 5-1 deficit into a 6-5 victory in the series finale against the North Dakota State Bison at the IPFW Softball Field on Saturday afternoon.

After seeing its comeback attempt with the bases loaded fall short an evening prior, the Mastodons took full advantage of a leadoff home run from Ashleigh Bousquet to cut the deficit to three at 5-2. After a pitching change, the Mastodons got a walk, a single, and an intentional walk to load the bases with no outs in the frame.

With the bases loaded, relief pitcher Whitney Johnson threw a wild pitch over the head of the NDSU catcher, scoring pinch runner Kirsten Rohn. The Bison then re-inserted starting pitcher Randi Parks, who walked Sarah Swanson to load the bases once again. Cassie Wolfe followed with a walk that pushed Alex Bousquet across the plate, before Courtney Cronin flew out to left field, the only out in the inning for IPFW. Karpun then followed with a single down the left field line, scoring Swanson and Sara Jacobson, and capping the comeback for IPFW.

Each of IPFW's five hits in the game came from a different batter, while Karpun drove in two runs, including the game-winner. Cronin, who pitched the final six innings of relief, picked up the win, improving her record to 8-6 on the season, striking out four and allowing just one earned run.

With the win, IPFW improves to 11-8-1 on the season, and 5-4 in the Summit League, while North Dakota State falls to 12-21, and 2-4 in league play.

North Dakota State scored in each of the first two innings, the first coming on an RBI groundout, before Jamie Gay led off the second inning with a solo home run to center field. A scoreless third inning followed before the Bison got runs from an RBI double and an IPFW error, pushing the visitors to a 4-0 lead.

IPFW broke the shutout chance for NDSU in the bottom of the fifth inning when Swanson reached on a fielding error, chasing home Kaitlyn Frost, who was on third base.

The Bison scored once in the top of the seventh to take a 5-1 lead, and setting the stage for the comeback.

Taylor Mortensen was 2-for-2 at the plate for NDSU, while Nicole Rivera scored twice. Parks picked up the loss, dropping her record to 4-8 on the season in walking five batters, striking out one and allowing two earned runs. Johnson walked two and gave up one hit, while not recording an out in her brief time in the circle.

The Mastodons return to action on Wednesday, March 30, when the team faces off against the Bulldogs of Butler University, at the IPFW Softball Field.

~Dons~