Mendenhall’s Clutch Double Helps Purdue Northwest Softball Split with Tiffin
TIFFIN, Ohio – A clutch, two-out, two-run double in the top of the sixth inning by sophomore Taylor Mendenhall (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) proved to be the game-winning hit as the Purdue Northwest softball team rallied for an exciting 2-1 victory in game two of Wednesday’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader with Tiffin University (Ohio) at Paradiso Field in Tiffin, Ohio. The Pride split the conference pair Wednesday dropping the first game by a score of 3-1.  The victory snapped TU’s 12-game win streak.
After five scoreless innings to open Wednesday’s opener, PNW got on the scoreboard first in the top of the sixth inning when senior Samme Miller (North Salem, Ind./St. Joseph’s College/Tri-West) hit a two-out RBI double to score junior Taylor Kotzo (Munster, Ind./Munster) from first base. However, the Dragons answered in the bottom half of the sixth with three runs sparked by a RBI single with one out.
Freshman Courtney Blackwell (Whiting, Ind./Whiting) took the loss (4-5) as the game one starter in the circle for the Pride. She pitched all six innings and allowed seven hits, three runs scored (all earned) and two walks with a strikeout. The Purdue Northwest offense managed just two hits in game one with Kotzo and Miller each recording one.
Tiffin took the early 1-0 lead in the late game scoring on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the sixth, Mendenhall came through with her timely double down the left field line to give PNW the lead for good. Kotzo and Miller scored on the game-winning double by Mendenhall.
Junior Mia Stevens (Wheatfield, Ind./Kankakee Valley) earned the victory (7-2) pitching all seven frames for the Pride in game two. She gave up just three hits, one run (earned) and no walks. PNW scattered five hits in the second game.
Purdue Northwest (15-10 overall/5-3 GLIAC) heads to Detroit, Mich., for a conference doubleheader against Wayne State University on Friday, March 30. The first game of the pair is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT start at Gary L. Bruce Field in Detroit.