Walk-off Walk Caps Five-Run Comeback in Tournament-Opening Win

Thursday, May 8

Fargo, N.D.

11 a.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

39-13

South Dakota

29-21

South Dakota

IPFW

Photo by: Dennis Hubbard

Walk-off Walk Caps Five-Run Comeback in Tournament-Opening Win

5/8/2014 2:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (.pdf) | BOX SCORE (.html)

FARGO, N.D. - A bases-loaded walk to Dani Pugh in the bottom of the seventh inning put the finishing touches on a five-run comeback in IPFW's 2014 Summit League Softball Tournament opener, as the Mastodons topped the South Dakota Coyotes 9-8.

The Mastodons trailed 8-3 after the top of the sixth inning before a Larissa Franklin grand slam and a bases-loaded catcher's interference tied the game headed to the seventh, setting the stage as Dani Pugh drew a six-pitch walk to close the game in the come-from-behind win.

Franklin went 2-for-4 on the day for the Mastodons, scoring twice and driving in four. Ashleigh Bousquet was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a two-run home run.

Megan Flenniken picked up the win in a relief effort that saw her pitch the final two and one-third inning of the game, striking out four.

The Mastodons (39-13 on the year) struck first in the game, when the team loaded the bases with a walk, bunt single, and another walk, before Kayti Hanson hit a run-scoring groundout, giving the Mastodons a 1-0 lead.

A half-inning later, the Coyotes hit a two-run home run to take a 2-1 lead, before adding a solo home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, pushing ahead to a 4-1 lead.

Ashleigh Bousquet put the Mastodons back within a run when she scored herself and Franklin with a two-run home run, as the Coyotes answered back with a run-scoring infield single and a three-run home run, putting IPFW behind by five at 8-3 after the top half of the sixth inning.

IPFW opened the sixth inning with back-to-back walks, before Hanson lined out on a sharp contact to the pitcher. Alex Bousquet followed by getting hit by a pitch, forcing the Coyotes into a pitching change with the bases loaded. With Franklin facing a new pitcher, she took the first pitch she saw and put it over the wall in right field, Another walk and hit-by-pitch were the prelude to a line-out to third base, as Beka Ferguson walked to re-load the bases. With all of the bases full, Audrey Mintari reached on a catcher's interference, pushing home Ashleigh Bousquet, and knotting the game at eight runs apiece.

South Dakota was only able to muster an infield single in the top of the seventh inning, setting the stage for the IPFW thrilling win. Hanson opened the inning with a single to left field, before Alex Bousquet reached on a sacrifice bunt attempt as the throw to second base was off the mark, putting runners on first and second. Ashleigh Bousquet was hit by a pitch to load the bases, before Pugh drew the game-ending walk.

The Mastodons will now face off against IUPUI, which defeated North Dakota State 15-8 later this afternoon in a rain-delayed contest. The Mastodons and Jaguars will meet at 4 p.m ET in the third of four games on the day.

~ Feel the Rumble ~