INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI softball team fell in the series opener to Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday afternoon, 5-2. Mackenzie Myars and Morgan Gilbert each recorded two singles in the loss.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne (5-26) took the early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Taryn Jenkins homered to left field to put the Mastodons on the board then with the bases loaded, Emma McMillan singled to score two.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Mastodons added one more run in the top of the fourth inning after a throwing error by the Jags' left fielder allowed Thais Uyema to score, 4-0.
 
IUPUI (7-25) cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runs of their own, 4-2. After back-to-back walks to Kendal Calvert and Rachael Gregory, Hailey Pop singled to right field to score Calvert. A passed ball allowed Gregory to score and bring the Jags within two.
 
PFW added another insurance run in the top of the sixth frame with an RBI double from McMillan. The Mastodons sealed the win at 5-2.
 
Myars went 2-for-2 with two singles while Gilbert went 2-for-3 with two singles. Pop went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Madison Bryant (L, 4-14) took the loss on the mound giving up five runs (one unearned) on four hits and six walks. The right hander struck out 12 batters in seven innings.
 
IUPUI will face Purdue Fort Wayne tomorrow (Sunday, April 10) in a doubleheader with game one starting at 1:00 PM.