Richmond, Ky. – Indiana State dropped both games on Sunday, falling 12-3 to Purdue Fort Wayne and 6-4 to Eastern Kentucky. Despite late-inning rallies and key hits from Lauren Marsicek, Whitley Wischmeier, and Kenzie Cornwell, the Sycamores couldn't overcome early deficits. 

Game One: Purdue Fort Wayne 12, Indiana State 3 (6 inn.)
Indiana State was defeated 12-3 by Purdue Fort Wayne in six innings, with a strong offensive showing from the Mastodons and a late rally by the Sycamores falling short.

PFW jumped to an early lead in the top of the first, with an RBI double from Hollopeter, taking a 1-0 advantage over the Sycamores. Indiana State threatened in the bottom of the inning as Morgan Goodrich singled and advanced to second on an error, but was left stranded.

PFW extended their lead in the second after a strikeout, an RBI single by McMenemy, and a three-run homer from Manos made it 5-0. Hailey Griffin entered in relief and quickly recorded two outs to close the inning.

The Mastodons added three more runs in the fourth on Manos' single, a fielding error, a stolen base by Countryman, and a sacrifice fly by Hollopeter, making it 8-0.

Annie Waggoner then entered in the fifth and retired the side with two strikeouts in a perfect inning.

Indiana State got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Lauren Marsicek doubled and Whitley Wischmeier followed with an RBI single to center to bring in Marsicek.

In the top of the sixth, Manos hit a second three-run homer, and Hollopeter added an RBI double, increasing the lead to 12-1.

The Sycamores rallied in the bottom of the sixth, scoring twice. Sophie Esposito scored on a throwing error after reaching third on a fielding miscue, and Hannah Welch came home on a sacrifice fly by Livi Colip. Taylor Erschen's double set up Kenzie Cornwell's walk, but the inning ended with a foul out.

PFW was led by Manos, who went 3-for-4 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

Cassi Newbanks (2-3) took the loss in the circle for ISU, as she pitched 1.1 innings, allowing five hits and five runs, while striking out two. Hailey Griffin followed with 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and three runs (one earned), striking out two. Annie Waggoner pitched two innings, giving up four hits and four runs, with three strikeouts.

Game Two: EKU 6, Indiana State 4
Indiana State battled but came up short in a 6-4 loss to Eastern Kentucky, as the Colonels capitalized on errors and key hits to take the lead in the late innings.

In the top of the first, EKU loaded the bases with a walk and a single before McLeod reached on an error, allowing both Haynes and Rutan to score and give the Colonels a 2-0 lead

Marsicek kept her hitting streak alive this weekend as she singled in the top of the third and advanced to second on a passed ball, followed by a walk to Wischmeier. A fielder's choice by Goodrich put runners on first and second, but the Sycamores were unable to capitalize.

In the bottom of the third, EKU added a run when Drafton scored on a sacrifice fly by Davis, making it 3-0. Sackett ended the inning with a key strikeout to strand two runners and prevent further scoring.

Livi Colip sparked the momentum with a key single in the fourth, and Lauren Marsicek followed with a double, driving in two RBIs, while Kenzie Cornwell added a double and two more RBIs to take the 4-3 lead.

EKU regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Drafton scored on a throwing error after advancing to second on a wild pitch. Oleksik then drove in a run with an RBI single to center, bringing in McLeod to take the 5-4 lead.

Haynes scored for EKU in the sixth, advancing their lead to 6-4 after a stolen base, throwing error, and wild pitch, giving them an unearned run.

Annie Waggoner came in as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh and recorded a single, but was left stranded as the Sycamores rally fell short.

Lauren Sackett battled through 5.2 innings in the circle for the Sycamores, allowing five hits and six runs while striking out four. Asher took over in the final inning for Indiana State.

Up Next: The Sycamores will travel to Champaign, Illinois, for their first midweek matchup of the season against Illinois on Tuesday, March 11, at 6 p.m. ET.

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