Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
North Dakota State
Indiana Drops Hoosier Classic Finale, 9-5
3/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Despite a late rally behind two fifth-inning home runs, the Indiana softball team dropped the finale of the Hoosier Classic to North Dakota State on Monday, 9-5.
After a scoreless first two innings, the Bison put their first run on the board on an RBI single by Maritza Lopez-Portillo in the third. North Dakota State (17-5) extended their lead to 7-0 by plating two more in the fourth and recording a four-run fifth inning. A two-run home run by Alyssa Reina made it 9-0 in the top of the sixth.
The Bison were led by a strong performance by pitcher Krista Menke, who tossed a complete game, giving up five runs and three walks while striking out 12 Indiana batters.
The Hoosiers (9-19) did respond in the bottom of the sixth, as Indiana scored five runs in the frame. Following two straight one-out singles by freshman Rebecca Blitz and sophomore Erin Lehman, sophomore CaraMia Tsirigos walked to load the bases for Shannon Cawley, who stepped up and hit her team-leading seventh homer of the season, a grand slam to left field to make it 9-4.
Next batter up, freshman Mena Fulton hit her second home run of the season to cut the deficit down to 9-5.
However, Indiana would get no closer as Menke would seal the win for the Bison.
The Hoosiers next game is a mid-week showdown with No.14 ranked Kentucky on Wednesday in Lexington. The game will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET.
Media contact: Caitlin Davis, davis288@indiana.edu
