Friday, February 16
El Paso, Texas
1 PM ET
Purdue Fort Wayne
vs
Montana
Brayden Lickey
Photo by: Valerie Garrett
Mastodons Take on UTEP Invitational
2/15/2024 3:35:00 PM | Softball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Purdue Fort Wayne softball travels to El Paso, Texas, to play in the UTEP Invitational this week for five games.
UTEP Invitational Information
Host: UTEP
When: Friday, Feb. 16 - Sunday, Feb. 18
Where: El Paso, Texas
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 5
Tournament Schedule
Friday, Feb. 16
1 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Montana
7 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne at UTEP
Saturday, Feb. 17
4 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne at UTEP
6 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. North Dakota
Saturday, Feb. 18
11 AM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Montana
Series Histories
Montana: First Meeting
UTEP: First Meeting
North Dakota: North Dakota leads 3-2. Last meeting: 4/7/2019, L, 4-1
Know Your Foes
• Montana started their season 2-3 at the Mardi Gras Mambo. After winning their first two games against Louisiana Monroe and Southern, but have lost their last three games. Presley Jantzi is Montana's leading batter through five games, batting .375 on her 16 at bats with a .474 on base percentage.The Griz are returning pitcher Grace Haegele, who has a 1-1 start after a 4-16 season last year.
• UTEP is off to a 6-1 start after the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament. After splitting with Western Michigan, the Miners have collected wins against Abilene Christian, Monmouth, and New Mexico. Through seven games, Ajia Richard has been UTEP's leading hitter, batting .458 on her 24 at bats with six RBI's and a home run. The Miners leading pitcher, Taja Felder, is a Louisville graduate transfer, who has a 4-0 start to the season with a 1.52 ERA.
• North Dakota started their season 1-4 at the Mardi Gras Mambo. The Fighting Hawks beat Nicholls on the first day of the season, but enter the tournament losing three straight. North Dakota's leading batter, Izzy Haslett, is batting .500 on 12 total at bats with one RBI. The Fighting Hawks are returning their best pitcher from last season, Jackie Abrecht, who has started 0-1 with a 2.62 ERA after a 4-16 season last year.
Fresh Faces
The Purdue Fort Wayne softball team welcomes four freshmen to the 2024 roster, including Gwen McMenemy, Aglaia Rudd, Kayla Roberts and McKenna Minton.
Brayden Banter
In the opening weekend of the 2024 season, Brayden Lickey finished with a .545 batting average on 11 at bats. She had six hits with two doubles and slugged .727. Both her batting average and slugging percentage lead the Horizon League.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne went 1-3 in its opening weekend, topping Mississippi Valley State. Alanah Jones threw the complete game for her first shutout of her career.
Up Next
The Mastodons will head south again next week for a five-game weekend at Georgia Southern's tournament. They will play Georgia Southern three times and Presbyterian twice.
UTEP Invitational Information
Host: UTEP
When: Friday, Feb. 16 - Sunday, Feb. 18
Where: El Paso, Texas
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 5
Tournament Schedule
Friday, Feb. 16
1 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Montana
7 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne at UTEP
Saturday, Feb. 17
4 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne at UTEP
6 PM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. North Dakota
Saturday, Feb. 18
11 AM ET - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Montana
Series Histories
Montana: First Meeting
UTEP: First Meeting
North Dakota: North Dakota leads 3-2. Last meeting: 4/7/2019, L, 4-1
Know Your Foes
• Montana started their season 2-3 at the Mardi Gras Mambo. After winning their first two games against Louisiana Monroe and Southern, but have lost their last three games. Presley Jantzi is Montana's leading batter through five games, batting .375 on her 16 at bats with a .474 on base percentage.The Griz are returning pitcher Grace Haegele, who has a 1-1 start after a 4-16 season last year.
• UTEP is off to a 6-1 start after the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament. After splitting with Western Michigan, the Miners have collected wins against Abilene Christian, Monmouth, and New Mexico. Through seven games, Ajia Richard has been UTEP's leading hitter, batting .458 on her 24 at bats with six RBI's and a home run. The Miners leading pitcher, Taja Felder, is a Louisville graduate transfer, who has a 4-0 start to the season with a 1.52 ERA.
• North Dakota started their season 1-4 at the Mardi Gras Mambo. The Fighting Hawks beat Nicholls on the first day of the season, but enter the tournament losing three straight. North Dakota's leading batter, Izzy Haslett, is batting .500 on 12 total at bats with one RBI. The Fighting Hawks are returning their best pitcher from last season, Jackie Abrecht, who has started 0-1 with a 2.62 ERA after a 4-16 season last year.
Fresh Faces
The Purdue Fort Wayne softball team welcomes four freshmen to the 2024 roster, including Gwen McMenemy, Aglaia Rudd, Kayla Roberts and McKenna Minton.
Brayden Banter
In the opening weekend of the 2024 season, Brayden Lickey finished with a .545 batting average on 11 at bats. She had six hits with two doubles and slugged .727. Both her batting average and slugging percentage lead the Horizon League.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne went 1-3 in its opening weekend, topping Mississippi Valley State. Alanah Jones threw the complete game for her first shutout of her career.
Up Next
The Mastodons will head south again next week for a five-game weekend at Georgia Southern's tournament. They will play Georgia Southern three times and Presbyterian twice.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Players Mentioned
RHP/OF
/ Softball
IF/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ SoftballHuge Dubs!
Saturday, May 10
Mastodon Softball walks off NKU
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Softball Win over IUPUI
Monday, April 15
Winning 'Dons are Happy 'Dons!
Sunday, February 25
