Mastodon Bats Erupt in Doubleheader Sweep

Wednesday, April 11

Toledo, Ohio

5:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

29-9

Toledo

10-26

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
IPFW	2	3	0	0	0	1	3	9	13	0
Toledo	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	4

Photo by: Lucas Carter

4/11/2012 8:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GAME ONE BOX SCORE | GAME TWO BOX SCORE

TOLEDO, Ohio - The IPFW Mastodons erupted for 23 hits and 16 runs in a doubleheader sweep over the Toledo Rockets (10-26), 7-3 and 9-0, improving the team to 29-9 on the year, tying the single-season school record for victories in a season.

Dani Pugh was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate on the day while drawing three walks and two hit by pitches, while Larissa Franklin was 5-for-8 (.625 avg.), including 4-for-4 in the nightcap, while stealing four bases over the two games. Alex Bousquet drove in a day-high five runs, while she and Franklin scored three times apiece.

The opener saw the Mastodons jump ahead early when Pugh drew a second inning-opening walk, before starting pitcher Courtney Cronin drove a pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage.

IPFW doubled its lead in the top of the fourth inning when Franklin doubled to left field, chasing home Alex Bousquet and Brittany Kachur.

Toledo reached the scoreboard in the next half-inning after an inning-opening triple and single ended the shutout bid for starting pitcher Cronin.

The Mastodons put more distance in the score in the fifth inning when Mackenzie Ritsema opened the frame with a double, before Pugh scored her classmate with a single up the middle. After a hit by pitch loaded the bases, Alex Bousquet singled home two runners, giving IPFW its final total of seven runs.

The Rockets added their second and third runs on a home run, but the early margin was too much to overcome, as the 'Dons held on for the 7-3 win.

Pugh was 2-for-2 at the plate in the opener, while Ritsema was 2-for-4. Alex Bousquet, Franklin, and Cronin each drove in two, while Pugh scored twice.

Courtney Cronin got the win in the circle, pitching the first five innings, scattering four hits, giving up one earned run while striking out two and improving to 15-2 on the year.

IPFW scored five runs over the first two innings of the nightcap, including two in the first inning when Franklin scored on a throwing error by the catcher, and when Ashleigh Bousquet drew a bases-loaded walk.

The first three batters of the second inning reached base for IPFW, including an RBI single from Franklin, before Alex Bousquet successfully converted a sacrifice squeeze play, scoring Kachur. Pugh then followed with an RBI single, staking the 'Dons to a 5-0 lead.

IPFW starting pitcher Megan Flenniken sat the first nine Rocket batters down in order to start the game, before surrendering her first hit with an infield single to open the fourth inning. In all, Flenniken gave up four hits while striking out a career-high 11 in picking up her second career shutout, and improving to 9-4 on the season.

An Alex Bousquet solo home run to open the sixth inning put IPFW ahead 6-0, before the 'Dons scored three times in the top of the seventh, the first when Alex Bousquet chased home Franklin with a double, before a Cronin single up the middle scored Alex Bousquet and Stephanie Beuther.

Franklin was 4-for-4 for IPFW in the nightcap, while Pugh was 2-for-2, Alex Bousquet 2-for-3, and Kayti Hanson 2-for-4. Franklin scored three times, while Alex Bousquet drove in a trio.

The Mastodons return to action at home over the weekend, as the squad plays host to the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah University in a three-game series, the first two games starting at 3 p.m. at the IPFW softball field on Friday, April 13.

~ Feel the Rumble ~