Softball Win Streak Reaches Double Digits in Sweep of Tennessee Tech

Tuesday, March 6

Cookville, Tenn.

2:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

11-2

Tennessee Tech

6-10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
IPFW	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	4	6	2
Tennessee Tech	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	X	0	3	1

Photo by: Lucas Carter

Softball Win Streak Reaches Double Digits in Sweep of Tennessee Tech

3/6/2012 4:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GAME ONE BOX | GAME TWO BOX

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The IPFW softball win streak reached double digits on Tuesday afternoon, as the Mastodons completed a sweep of Tennessee Tech University by scores of 4-0 and 5-2.

The 10-game win streak is the second longest in program history, as the 1993 team won 13 in a row en route to a 17-1 start to the season, and a 22-7 overall record, the first winning season in program history.

In the opener, the teams threw up zeros on the scoreboard for the first five innings of the game, with Cronin going toe-to-toe with Tennessee Tech starting pitcher Holly Thomas.

Thomas gave up the game's first run in the top of the sixth inning when Mackenzie Ritsema hit an infield single, stole second and third base, and scored on a Megan Flenniken sacrifice squeeze, while Ashleigh Bousquet, who was on second after a walk and a stolen base, scored on a throwing error by the Golden Eagles, giving IPFW a 2-0 lead.

The Mastodons added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning when Kayti Hanson chased home Larissa Franklin on a fielder's choice, before Ritsema hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Alex Bousquet.

Alex Bousquet went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while Ritsema, Audrey Mintari, and Dani Pugh each had a hit for the Mastodons.

Courtney Cronin picked up the win, scattering three hits over the seven innings, walking two and striking out five while picking up her 25th career shutout, and is now in fourth place all-time in Summit League history in career shutouts.

The nightcap started with the Mastodons getting a run in the top of the first inning when Ashleigh Bousquet hit an infield single, scoring Hanson. Tennessee Tech answered back with two runs, their first and only runs of the day, taking a 2-1 advantage after the second inning.

The two runs would be all that second-game starter Miranda Kramer would allow, as the freshman followed by retiring the next 13 batters she faced, including striking out the side in the fourth, all swinging and missing.

IPFW tied the game in the second with a Dani Pugh longball, and then took the lead for good with three runs in the third inning as three straight singles loaded the bases, before a Cronin walk chased home Alex Bousquet. Megan Flenniken followed with a single up the middle to score Ritsema and Hansen, giving IPFW the three-point advantage.

Tennessee Tech threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning, loading the bases with no outs; however, a pair of pop-ups and a groundout ended the threat, as Kramer picked up her third win of the season.

Kramer went the entire seven innings, striking out eight and walking one, improving to 3-0 on the year.

Three players, Hanson, Ashleigh Bousquet, and Flenniken each went 2-for-4.

The Mastodons return to action on Wednesday, March 7, when the squad travels to Nashville, Tenn. to take on the Lipscomb Bison in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. EST.

~ Feel the Rumble ~