Mastodon Softball Sweeps Doubleheader at Oakland

Sunday, April 13

Rochester, Mich.

Noon

Purdue Fort Wayne

11-18, 7-4

Oakland

12-21, 5-9

Purdue Fort Wayne

Oakland

Bailey Manos

Photo by: Rachel Von Art

Mastodon Softball Sweeps Doubleheader at Oakland

4/13/2025 5:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Bailey Manos was a single short of hitting for the cycle in game two, but the junior led Purdue Fort Wayne to a pair of wins at Oakland on Sunday (April 13).

With her four-hit day, Manos and Grace Hollopeter are now separated by just one hit in their careers. Manos has 129 and Hollopeter has 130, which rank Nos. 10 and 11 in program history for a career.

GAME 1: Purdue Fort Wayne 4, Oakland 3 (8 innings)
Purdue Fort Wayne had a come-from-behind victory over Oakland in the second game of the weekend and eventually won 4-3 in the eighth inning thanks to a solo home run from Alexa Carter.

Down 3-2 in the top of the seventh, Brooke Lickey doubled to left center to get the Mastodons' half inning started. Addison Zimpleman moved her across to third with a sacrifice bunt, then Gwen McMenemy laid down a bunt as well. After a throw to the pitcher, Lickey broke for home and scored.

The 'Dons shut down OU in the seventh, stranding a runner at first.

With two outs in the eighth, Carter battled through a monstrous at bat that spanned 10 pitches. On the 10th, she had what looked like a line drive to right center field and cleared the outfield wall. A half inning later, the Golden Grizzlies left a runner and their chance to extend the game on third base.

In the fourth, Tori Countryman had a sac fly and Faith McClain had an RBI single that gave the 'Dons a 2-1 lead. Oakland got the lead back in its next trip to bat.

Alanah Jones picked up her ninth win of the season in 8.0 innings pitched. She had three strikeouts. Kenna Bommarito took the loss for the Golden Grizzlies after pitching 2.0 out of the bullpen.

GAME 2: Purdue Fort Wayne 8, Oakland 1
Game two of the doubleheader was the Manos show from the start. On the second pitch of the game, Manos popped up to shallow left field and thanks to a collision of the Golden Grizzly defense, she ran all the way around the bases for an inside the park home run.

OU got a run in their portion of the first inning, but that was all Gracie Brinkerhoff allowed all day. She finished with the win after giving up one earned run and six hits with three strikeouts.

Purdue Fort Wayne got a run in each of the third and fourth innings. Manos doubled in the third then zoomed all the way around to home when McKenna Minton grounded out to the shortstop. An inning later, Carter singled and Lickey followed with a bunt single. Countryman advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, then McClain had another RBI single.

In the fourth, the bats exploded for the 'Dons. Manos started off with a triple then Minton followed with a triple of her own. Hollopeter doubled to bring Minton home and burn through Oakland's starting pitcher, then Carter singled to score Hollopeter. Countryman finished off the four-run fifth with a sac fly to center field.

For good measure, Lickey scored in the seventh after McMenemy singled through the left side.

The Mastodons racked up 14 hits, which was their most in Horizon League play and tied for their season-high.

Bommarito suffered her second loss of the day after getting the start.

With the two wins, Purdue Fort Wayne improved to 12-18 and 8-4 in Horizon League play. Oakland fell to 12-22, 5-10 in league. The Mastodons will welcome Cleveland State to the Purdue Fort Wayne Softball Field on Tuesday (April 15) for a noon start.

~ Feel the Rumble ~