INDIANAPOLIS – Despite a late-game rally, the IU Indy softball team couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling to Purdue Fort Wayne in the Horizon League opener on Thursday afternoon, 6-4. Molly Kable and Callie Dickerson each tallied two hits in the loss.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Addison Zimpleman drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Bailey Manos. Shortly after, McKenna Minton then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Grace Hollopeter to cross the plate, 2-0.
 
In the second inning, the Mastodons added four more runs on five hits and one Jaguars' error to extend their lead to 6-0.
 
IU Indy found life in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Dickerson's single up the middle advanced Tori Candler and Molly Kable, with Kable scoring on a catcher's error. Reese Rosenbaum reached on a fielding error, which allowed two more runs to cross the plate, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
 
In the seventh inning, Dickerson doubled to left field, driving in Kable to make it 6-4. However, the Jaguars' comeback effort fell short as Purdue Fort Wayne's defense held strong.
 
Kable and Dickerson each added two hits with a double each. Alexa Holman (2-4) took the loss in the circle for the Jags giving up five runs on two hits and three walks in 1.2 innings of work. Dickerson went to work in the circle in relief giving up just one run on eight hits in 5.1 innings of work.
 
IU Indy's record falls to 6-16 (0-1 HL). The Jaguars and Mastodons are back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.