The Eastern Michigan University softball team dropped both of its games in a doubleheader with Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne on Tuesday in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Eagles (9-17) fell in the first game to IPFW (24-7) 5-0 and lost the second 4-3.
In the first contest, junior pitcher Jenna Ignowski (6-4) fell to the Mastodons after allowing three runs on four hits in three innings of work. Freshman Lindsay Rich relieved Ignowski and
pitched three innings, giving up two runs on three hits.
Despite not scoring any runs in game one, the Eagles were led offensively by junior outfielder Katy Blaharski led the Eagles with a 2-for-3 outing, while five other Eagles recorded hits in the game.
Eastern hit 7-for-26 in the game (.269).
IPFW was helped by the poor defensive effort from the Eagles. The Mastodons scored three runs off miscues from EMU, including a misplayed ball by Ignowski, which would eventually allow three runs to score.
EMU would heat up, however, and would come close to tying the contest in the second inning, but IPFW’s freshman outfielder Larissa Franklin would make arguably the play of the game when she robbed junior outfielder Lindsay Smith of a three-run homerun. Smith hit a ball with enough distance to clear the left-center field fence, but Franklin chased it down and jumped up to grab the ball before it cleared the fence.
After the 5-0 loss, EMU would come out strong and take a 3-0 lead into the sixth before collapsing and ultimately losing 4-3.
Senior outfielder McKenna Russ would provide the offense for the Eagles with a three-run homerun in the third inning. It would be the seniors only hit of the night, in a 1-for-3 effort.
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Wells (2-7) started off with a strong performance, allowing one hit in five innings of work, before allowing four runs and five hits in the sixth inning and recording one out.
Wells would be relieved by Rich, and she would close out the inning without allowing another base runner.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Eagles would give one last effort to come from behind and win, but fell short, stranding runners at the corners.
Senior infielder and 2011 first team all-Mid American Conference selection Jessica Richards would draw a one-out walk before stealing second base. With the tying run at third, IPFW would record the final two outs and seal the 4-3 victory.
The Eagles will travel to Rochester, Mich. tomorrow where they’ll play a doubleheader against Oakland University. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
