Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. – Jocelyn Oppenhuis struck out seven and gave up just one earned run, but the IUPUI softball team could not get anything going offensively against Whitney Johnson resulting in the Jags dropping their series finale to North Dakota State, 2-0, Saturday in Omaha, Neb.
 
The series sweep for the Bison dropped the Jaguars to 11-15 overall and 3-6 in the Summit League.
 
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively going scoreless through three innings. Oppenhuis was effective in the circle through three retiring the first nine batters she faced, six of which via strikeout.
 
The Jags first chance to score came in the fourth when Ali Mosier led things off with a single down the left field line. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt, Eryn Dillon joined Mosier on the base paths when she was hit by a pitch. A strikeout ensued, keeping runners on first and second with two outs, but Mosier advanced to third during the next at-bat on a failed pick-off attempt by the pitcher. Unfortunately for IUPUI, a fly out ended the threat.
 
NDSU took advantage of IUPUI’s inability to score in the fourth and managed to push a run across in its half of the frame. The Bison used a lead-off single to start the inning and quickly moved the runner to second on a sacrifice bunt. A single up the middle scored the runner from second, but an error on the play allowed the batter to move all the way to third. Oppenhuis was able to force a foul out and a pop out during the next two at-bats to limit the damage and keep IUPUI’s deficit at 1-0.
 
The pitchers’ duel continued in the fifth and sixth, but one hit and two IUPUI errors in the bottom of the sixth led to to one Bison run as they upped their lead to 2-0.
 
Down to their last three outs, IUPUI sent Megan Cory, Jazmine Pedrotti and Lindsey Richards to the plate, but each was retired clinching the 2-0 win for the Bison.
 
The Jaguars are back in action on Monday, April 1, when they take on Butler at 4 p.m. at the Butler Softball Field. The Jags and Bulldogs were originally scheduled to meet on March 20, but that game was postponed due to cold weather. Despite the game being played at Butler, IUPUI will be the home team.