Win Streak Ends as Leathernecks Avoid Series Sweep

Sunday, April 10

Fort Wayne, Ind.

12:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

19-9-1, 10-5

Western Illinois

12-19, 8-7

Western Illinois

IPFW

Sarah Swanson went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored in the series finale against Western Illinois

Win Streak Ends as Leathernecks Avoid Series Sweep

4/10/2011 2:02:57 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

Fort Wayne, IN - IPFW's nine-game win streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon, as the Western Illinois Leathernecks avoided a series sweep with a 6-3 win at the IPFW Softball Field.

The Mastodons, now 19-9-1 on the year and 10-5 in the Summit League, fall a half-game behind Southern Utah for the top spot in the league standings. The squad was led by 2-for-3 batting efforts from Sarah Swanson and Brittany Kachur, while Kristina Karpun drove in two with a first-inning home run.

The Leathernecks scored first in the game when Jamie Goss hit a two-out solo home run in the first inning, before Karpun answered back with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the frame, scoring herself and Swanson, who singled a batter earlier.

A scoreless second inning followed before the Leathernecks took advantage of a pair of IPFW miscues in the field, scoring four unearned runs, and taking a 5-2 lead, one that the team would not give up for the remainder of the game.

The Mastodons cut into the deficit with a run in the fifth inning when Swanson walked and was pushed around the bases on a single, a walk, and then driven home on a single by Ashleigh Bousquet. With the bases loaded, and two outs on the scoreboard, the Mastodons nearly tacked on a handful more runs when Sara Hopwood's line drive to center field was snagged by WIU center fielder Colleen Biebel, saving at least two runs on the play.

A solo home run by relief pitcher Hailey Bickford provided the final scoring in the game, as the Leathernecks sat the 'Dons down in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Rachel Staschuk, Karpun, Courtney Cronin and Ashleigh Bousquet had the team's other four hits, as the Mastodons out-hit WIU 8-to-6. Cronin picked up the loss in the circle, pitching the first two and two-thirds of an inning, striking out one and allowing one earned run. Staschuk pitched the next three and a third of an inning, striking out one and giving up just one run, while Amanda Olender pitched the final inning of the game, allowing just one baserunner on a hit-by-pitch.

Bickford, who hit the solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, picked up the pitching victory, going the last five innings in relief, striking out two and walking three. Kelsey Michelini picked up a no-decision in the start, going the first two innings, and giving up a pair of earned runs.

The Mastodons return to action on Tuesday, April 12, when the squad plays host to the Rockets of Toledo with games slated for 3:00 and 5:00 PM at the IPFW Softball Field.

~Dons~