Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - The Jaguars' softball team rallied from behind twice on a cold, drizzly Saturday afternoon at the IUPUI Softball Complex, but fell one run short in a 7-6 eight-inning loss to IPFW in the three-game series finale. 

IPFW's Amanda Olender yielded a game-tying two-run homer to Jenny Boyts with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but responded by jacking a game-winning solo shot in the top of the eighth off IUPUI sophomore Jessica McGown. 

IUPUI (4-21, 1-11 Summit) trailed 4-0 through three innings but began chipping away in the bottom of the fourth. The Jags loaded the bases on a Jenna Crockett single, an error and a Meaghan Raynes bloop single to left, setting up freshman Stacy Harte. Harte made it 4-1 by rolling a solid single through the left side. 

Pinch hitter Chelsie Hale plated the second run by flaring a sacrifice fly to IPFW (11-17, 5-5) second baseman Abby Liden in foul ground. Liden made a diving snag, but was unable to peg Boyts at the plate, making the score 4-2. 

In the sixth inning, Boyts led off with a bullet single to center and moved to second when Raynes drew a walk. Harte did her job by advancing both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Hale, who remained in the game after pinch hitting, followed by hitting a roller to Liden at second. Liden saw the ball squirt just left of her mitt, allowing both runners to score and tie the game at 4-4. 

IPFW promptly made it 6-4 against Amy Raker in the top of the seventh, leaving the Jags to play from behind once again. 

In the bottom half, Crockett drew a one-out walk and two batters later, Boyts bashed her first long ball of the season, easily clearing the fence to tie the game at 6-6. McGown retired the first two batters of the eighth inning before Olender clubbed a 2-2 pitch over the fence in center for the game-winner.

McGown (1-8) took the loss, retiring four batters out of the bullpen. Junior Lea Corcoran got her third start of the season and surrendered four runs in 2.1 innings work. Raker fanned six in 4.1 innings of relief work. 

Olender (5-8) gave up four runs (three earned) in four innings in relief of Kayla Powell. 

Boyts went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two driven in while Hale also knocked in two for the Jags. Amanda Mackey and Harte also had two hits apiece. 

IUPUI's current string of nine straight league games will continue on Tuesday night when they host Western Illinois at the IUPUI Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. that evening and the three-game series will conclude with a 4:00 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday.