Kramer Pitches 'Dons to Series Win

Saturday, April 14

Fort Wayne, Ind.

1:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

31-10, 10-5

Southern Utah

25-19, 11-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Utah	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	5	2
IPFW	4	0	0	1	0	0	X	5	9	0

Photo by: Lucas Carter

4/14/2012 3:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Behind a 10-strikeout effort from freshman pitcher Miranda Kramer, and eight different players picking up at least one hit, the IPFW Mastodons took the season series over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds with a 5-3 game at Mastodon Field on Saturday.

The Mastodons, who yesterday set the single-season program win mark, topped that again on Saturday with the squad's 31st victory, and goes to 31-10 overall and 10-5 in Summit League play. Southern Utah falls to 25-19 overall, and 11-7 in the league.

After Kramer set the Thunderbirds down in order in the top of the first inning, striking out two in the process, the Mastodons saw all nine batters come to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs, all on starting pitcher Danielle Axe, who less than 24 hours prior had no-hit the Mastodons.

Ashleigh Bousquet struck first with an RBI double that scored Larissa Franklin, before Mackenzie Ritsema doubled home Ashleigh Bousquet two batters later. Dani Pugh then scored when the SUU shortstop committed a fielding error, setting the stage for Kayti Hanson to reach on a bunt single that scored Ritsema, giving the 'Dons a 4-0 lead through one inning.

A walk and a home run in the top of the second gave the Thunderbirds their first hit and runs of the game, as the visitors would be held off of the scoreboard again until the top of the seventh inning.

IPFW added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Pugh singled home Alex Bousquet, taking the Mastodons to a 5-1 lead.

Southern Utah threatened in the top of the seventh with a leadoff walk from Madison Resley, as her pinch-runner Mallory Wilkinson came around to score two batters later; however, with runners on first and second with two outs, SUU leadoff hitter Tessa Loewen fouled out to third baseman Ashleigh Bousquet to secure the Mastodon win.

Kramer scattered five hits and allowed three runs, all earned, while walking two and striking out 10, one off of her career high of 11 set against Temple in February. Franklin was 2-for-4 for the Mastodons, as seven others had one hit, as no player had more than one run scored, or more than one RBI.

The Mastodons look to continue to add to their record win totals on Tuesday, April 17, when the 'Dons play host to the Western Michigan Broncos in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. at the IPFW Softball Field.

~ Feel the Rumble ~