Box Score
INDIANAPOLIS - Junior Hannah Croucher belted two solo homers, but it wasn't enough to complete a three-game sweep of South Dakota State as IUPUI fell 6-4 on Sunday.
Ultimately, it was defense that doomed IUPUI (12-26, 7-8 Summit).
South Dakota State tied the game on an infield single where Kelsey Rupert made a diving stop and threw to first baseman Brandi Lawson, who bobbled the ball allowing the tying run to cross the plate.
The defense let the Jaguars down again in the seventh. Durazo reached on an error to start the inning. Morgan McCabe singled to put runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved them from second to third. Thomas fanned the next two hitters before allowing a two-run single to Kelsey Waltz.
Things looked better than they finished for IUPUI.
Croucher picked up where the team left off on Saturday, driving the first Pam Nicholson delivery over the fence to give IUPUI a 1-0 lead.
Southport native Nikki Thomas started and looked much like she did in game two of the series when she fired a complete-game shutout. The freshman got through the first three innings unscathed before Tina Winter hit a two-run homer to give the Jackrabbits a 2-1 lead. The home run broke Thomas' 10.2 scoreless innings streak.
Ashley Durazo's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning extended South Dakota State's lead to 3-1.
Croucher started the fifth inning with her second solo shot of the game. The rally continued when pinch hitter Amy Raker singled and Chelsie Hale and Leah Prewitt walked to load the bases.
Alicia Brewer was hit by a pitch to drive in a run and tie the game at three. South Dakota State starting pitcher limited the damage by getting Angela Bartucci to ground into a fielder's choice forcing Hale at the plate for the first out. Jessica Lam gave IUPUI the lead with a sacrifice fly, but the Jackrabbits (9-32, 6-9 Summit) cut down Bartucci trying to advance from first to second on the play to end the threat.
Thomas took the loss throwing a complete game while fanning nine Jackrabbits.
IUPUI will return to action next weekend against Southern Utah.
