INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Western Illinois softball dropped the finale of the three-game series to open up Summit League play. The Leathernecks (15-10) made a comeback late, but ultimately fell 14-13 to IUPUI on Sunday (March 23).

“I'm happy we won two out of three,” said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “Our goal is to win every series and we went out and did that. Offensively I was very happy with our production and our approach this weekend. We still have some work to do defensively and with our pitching staff. We don't have any major adjustments just some minor things that will come by being in game situations and being out on dirt.”

Western jumped out a 6-0 lead in the first after six of the first seven batters reached. Sammy Marshall led off with a single and stolen base and was brought in by Briana Williams. After a Teagan Walsh triple made it 2-0 Leathernecks, Karissa Kouchis drove in the junior with a single. Bottino followed with a single of her own and Megg Kelly delivered with a three-run home run to bring the lead to 6-0.

IUPUI responded with a pair in the bottom half on a two-run home run and cut the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the third.

The Leathernecks then scored five times in the fourth, increasing the lead 11-4. Nina Maggio walked to lead off the inning before Marshall singled. With runners at first and second, Williams delivered with two-run double. Walsh followed with a single and with two on and two out, Tierney Bottino hit her first career home run to cap off the inning for Western.

In the top of the fifth, Marshall hit her fifth home run of the year, increasing the lead to 12-4.

But the Jaguars responded with a 10-run inning, giving IUPUI a 14-12 lead late in the game.

In the seventh, Holly Hoelting led off the inning with her first career double. With Alexis Ensminger running for Hoelting, Marshall singled to drive in the freshman. With the tying runner on, Western was unable to even the score, falling in the finale 14-13.

Marshall finished four-for-four with a home run, three runs scored and a stolen base. Bottino, Williams and Kelly each collected three RBIs.

“We just need to be outside,” Van Vlymen said. “With the cold weather we haven't been able to get outside much so just getting outside will help. Being out there in game-type situations will help and getting the feel for being outside.”

The Leathernecks turn their attention to Morehead State and the home opener on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.