AMES, Iowa - IUPUI was looking for a comeback win against Eastern Illinois but the rally fell short as the Jags fell 6-5 to the Panthers Saturday afternoon (Feb. 13). The Jags still struggled offensively, going 4-14 with runners in scoring position and stranding 11 on base in the loss.

IUPUI (0-3) looked to strike early after Morgan Schlobohm singled, Roni Patterson was hit by a pitch and Maggie Good was walked to load the bases, but Taylor Chitwood lined out and Sarah Lawrence struck out to end the threat.

Eastern Illinois (3-1) capitalized in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run by Kylie Bennett to left center field to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Eastern added to their lead in the second after four straight walks and an error gave the Panthers two more runs. 

The Jags climbed back in the game in the top of the third. After Patterson and Good singled, Chitwood drove a 1-0 pitch to left center for her first home run of the season to get the Jags within one at 4-3. 

Eastern answered the Jags in the bottom of the inning on a single up the middle from Mady Poulter, increasing the lead to two. 

IUPUI had chances offensively in the fourth after loading the bases with one out, but Maggie Armstrong struck out and Patterson grounded out to end the frame. The opportunities weren't over for the Jags, the very next inning, IUPUI found itself in another bases loaded situation, this time with no outs. This time, Jessica Wireman buckled down and struck out the next three Jags looking to keep IUPUI off the scoreboard.

"We are right there," said head coach Amanda Rivera. "We just need someone to come through with that big hit."

After another EIU run, the Jags finally broke through on Wireman. In the top of the sixth, Good delivered a line shot off the wall in left field that scored Ali Mosier and Schlobohm and put Good on second base. After Good moved to third on an illegal pitch, the offensive woes continued as Chitwood popped out and Lawrence struck out. 

IUPUI put a runner on base in the final frame on an error but Wireman got Mosier to strikeout to end the game and give the Panthers the 6-5 win.

Iowa State 7, IUPUI 0

Game number two of the day for the Jags featured more of the offensive woes that have plagued IUPUI in the early season, this time against Big 12 foe Iowa State. The Cyclones got to IUPUI starter Brooke Boetjer quickly scoring four runs off of Boetjer in the first inning and chasing the Jags starter in just 2/3 of an inning. Three of the four runs came courtesy of a three-run home run by Sammie Hildreth.

Offensively the Jags could not figure out Cyclone starter Mandi Moore who held the Jags to just three hits over five innings. The best chance for IUPUI to put a run on the board came in the fourth inning when the Jags loaded the bases with two outs. Maggie Armstrong's deep line drive to left field was caught just before the wall to end the threat. 

Taylor Chitwood finished 2-3 on the night with a double, her second of the season, but the Jags went 0-9 with runners in scoring position.

IUPUI got solid relief pitching from two freshman. Erica Tharp relieved Boetjer in the first inning and pitched well, going 3.1 innings, giving up three runs while striking out two batters. After Tharp, Kaitlynn Moody gave the Jags two strong scoreless innings finishing with two strikeouts.

The Jags finish their trip to Ames with a game tomorrow morning (Feb. 14) against North Dakota. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.