April 15, 2008

Box Score

Fort Wayne, IN - The IPFW Mastodons (11-18, 5-6 Summit League) dropped the first of a three-game series to the Oakland University Grizzlies (11-15, 3-5 Summit) by an 8-4 score on Tuesday afternoon.

Oakland pitcher Jess Granger was dominating early, holding the `Dons hitless for the first four and two-thirds inning of the game, in which the visitors totaled five runs to open a 5-0 lead. IPFW made good use of their first hit, a single to the shortstop by Beatrice Pedraza, as the junior stole second base and scored when Kayla Powell singled a batter later, cutting the deficit to four at 5-1.

The Grizzlies followed by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning, opening an 8-1 lead. A run by IPFW in the sixth inning when Tara Mickelson hit a triple down the right field line, scored pinch runner Jessica Sordelet, cutting the deficit to 8-2.

Two more runs in the seventh inning on home runs by Ty Lambert and Powell; Lambert hitting the fourth of her career while Powell's was the first of her two-year IPFW career; put the finishing touches on an 8-4 score.

Powell had two of the team's five hits, with Pedraza, Mickelson and Lambert picking up the other three. Powell drove in a pair, as each of the four runs was scored by a different `Don.

Despite her prowess at the plate, Powell picked up the loss in the circle, scattering seven hits and striking out five, but allowed four earned runs over her five innings. Amanda Olender pitched the final two innings of relief, giving up one earned run while striking out four.

The teams take back to the diamond on Wednesday, with the first pitch in the double header slated to begin at noon.