INDIANAPOLIS – An unfortunate way to see their seven-game winning streak snapped, the IUPUI softball team (13-18, 3-0) was buried Tuesday evening (March 28) 2-5 by Butler (13-17) due in large part to errors that kept innings alive for the Bulldogs. Two errors led to four unearned runs, as the Jags lost by three.
Erica Tharp started in the circle for the Jags, tossing five innings while giving up seven hits and just one earned run, although all five Butler runs came across during her outing. She walked two and struck out five, and did enough to put the Jags within reach of a victory.
Nickole Finch, coming off her first career Summit League Pitcher of the Week honor, pitched two innings and gave up just one hit while striking out three.
The Jags offense feasted on the long ball, as
Mandy Dallas went yard for the first time this season, finishing 2-for-3 with the solo shot.
Delaney Thompson joined her in leaving the park, posting a 1-for-3 day with the solo homer out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup.
Delilah Wright reached base three times via the base hit, going 3-for-4.
Maggie Good walked twice on a 1-for-2 effort, while
Alyssa Matson picked up a hit at the top of the order. The Jags finished with eight hits, equaling the output by Butler.
After a single and a walk gave the Bulldogs first and second base in the top of the first inning, Tharp was able to secure outs via the sac bunt and strikeout. She nearly got out of the jam with a ground ball, but an error allowed the hitter to reach base, plating a run in the process. A single followed, scoring another run before Tharp got her second strikeout to end the threat.
Dallas started off the bottom of the second with a big swing that deposited the ball well beyond the center field fence, as IUPUI got on the board with the homerun. The next three batters were retired in order, as the Jags couldn't do any more damage.
A homerun by Butler in the top of the third gave the Bulldogs the run back, as IUPUI had to wait until the bottom of the fourth inning to respond. That was when Thompson hit a one-out solo homer to right field, as the Jags narrowed the gap, 2-3. They'd see the action get away from them in the fifth though, as a pop up to the leadoff batter gave the Jags one out. The next batter reached on an error on a ground ball, followed by another pop up. It would've signaled a 1-2-3 inning had the play been made, but instead led to the Bulldogs getting a two-run homerun that made it a 2-5 game. Neither team could push runs across for the rest of the stretch, as Butler closed the door on IUPUI.
With the loss, the Jags will look to bounce back Wednesday (March 29) on the road as the team battles Valparaiso at 5 p.m. EST in Valparaiso, Indiana.
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