Mastodons End Dramatic Softball Contest With Walk-Off Victory

Friday, April 25

Fort Wayne, Ind.

1 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

15-22, 11-8

Northern Kentucky

21-22, 11-7

Northern Kentucky

Purdue Fort Wayne

Photo by: Rachel Von Art

Mastodons End Dramatic Softball Contest With Walk-Off Victory

4/25/2025 6:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - A 95-minute lightning delay was not enough to keep the Purdue Fort Wayne softball team from picking up a Horizon League win over Northern Kentucky. The Mastodons beat NKU 9-8 on a walk-off RBI single from McKenna Minton.

MASTODONS WIN! MASTODONS WIN! MASTODONS WIN!#FeelTheRumble #HLSB pic.twitter.com/9jBNgLOSFj
— Purdue Fort Wayne Softball (@MastodonSB) April 25, 2025

Friday's (April 25) contest was as exciting as they come. It featured 17 runs, 21 hits, four home runs and a five-run comeback from Purdue Fort Wayne.

There were three lead changes in the game, the first coming in the second inning. NKU jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a two-RBI double, but the 'Dons answered in the bottom of the frame. Addison Zimpleman and Gwen McMenemy singled to get on, then freshman Alexa Carter sent a long ball over the left field wall to go up 3-2.

NKU had two homers in the third, then the 'Dons got two runners aboard in the third. The 95-minute lightning delay cooled down the Mastodons, then NKU built up an 8-3 lead by the fifth inning.

In the fifth, the Mastodons mounted their comeback. Zimpleman had a two-run homer after Bailey Manos had reached on a single.

An inning later, Brooke Lickey and Minton singled, then Manos walked to load the bases. Tori Countryman stepped in, and on the third pitch of her at bat, she sent a deep shot to the right field wall, recording a double and three RBIs. This tied the game at eight apiece with one more inning to play.

In the seventh, NKU worked a runner around to third after a walk, but Alanah Jones struck out two batters to strand two on the base paths. In the bottom of the inning, Kennedy Peckinpaugh singled, then Morgan Cantrell pinch ran. She advanced to second on a sac bunt from Gwen McMenemy, then Minton's single up the middle with two outs brought her home for the game winner.

Jones tossed her 15th complete game of the season. She finished with six strikeouts to improve to 11-14. Brooklyn Ballis took the loss in relief for NKU to fall to 8-10.

Purdue Fort Wayne improved to 15-22 and 11-8 in Horizon League play. NKU fell to 21-22, 11-7. These two teams will meet again tomorrow (Saturday, April 26) for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at Warrior Park.

~ Feel the Rumble ~