MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois dropped game three of the Summit League series against IPFW 4-0 on Sunday (April 22). The defeat marked the Leathernecks' first series loss to the Mastodons at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium in program history.
After a quiet first two innings, IPFW reached the scoreboard using a few Leatherneck miscues and a triple to plate two unearned runs.
Western Illinois second baseman Emma Jarrell ended Miranda Kramer's no hit bid in the bottom of the third with a one-out single to right. She moved into scoring position on a Briana Williams sacrifice bunt, but a groundout ended the Leatherneck threat.
The Mastodons added a run to their lead in the top of the fourth with a successful squeeze bunt play and another in the sixth on two hits and an error to extend their lead to 4-0.
In the bottom of the seventh, Western Illinois had a comeback effort fall short. Jamie Goss started the inning with her second walk of the game, followed by a Lia Romeo single up the middle, just the second hit of the ball game for the Leathernecks. A strikeout, pop out and fielder's choice ended Western's comeback hopes.
Kelsey Michelini was tagged with the loss in the circle, bringing her overall record to 12-10, while Kramer picked up a complete game shut out win improving her record to 10-3.
Jarrell and Romeo each had a hit for Western Illinois going one-for-two and one-for-three, respectively.
The Fighting Leathernecks are back in action next Friday and Saturday (April 27-28) in a Summit League series against South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D. The doubleheader on Friday is set to begin at 2 p.m. and Saturday's single game is scheduled for 12 p.m.
