Special Report to Blowing Rock News from GoASU. Febraury 10, 2012. AUBURN, AL- After an hour rain delay, Appalachian State softball dropped its season-opener, 8-4, to Indiana University-Purdue University, Ft. Wayne (IPFW) in Auburn, Alabama, on Friday night at the Tiger Invitational.

In the bottom of the third frame the IPFW loaded up the bases and were able to drive in seven-runs with one out. Dani Pugh singled to center drive in the games first two runs.  Miranda Kramer earned an RBI walk, and Kayti Hanson singled to the shortstop, increasing IPFW's lead to 4-0. An RBI single from Larissa Franklin and a sacrifice fly from Ashleigh Bousquet stretched the Mastodons' lead to 8-0.

In the top of the fourth-inning, the Mountaineer bats came alive when senior Megan Rembielak recorded the Apps first hit of the contest with a bunt single.  Rembielak scored on a throwing error from centerfielder Franklin after a single from junior Allie Cashion.  Senior Michelle Lighton earned a walk, then scored along with Cashion on a fielding error by first baseman Mackenzie Ritsema to bring ASU to within five-runs, (8-3).

Freshman Caroline Wainright wriggled out of a fourth-inning jam two runners left on base, and threw a one-two-three fifth-inning.

Appalachian cut its deficit in the sixth-inning, 8-4, when Lighton reached base on a throwing error by the IPFW shortstop, Alex Bousquet, to score Meghan Smith, who had reached base when hit by a pitch.

Wainright finished her career debut with two strikeouts and an earned run in 3.2 innings pitched in relief.

IPFW's Courtney Cronin helped the Mastodons improve to 2-0 in a complete-game two-hitter with four strikeouts.

The Mountaineers look to bounce back quickly when the take on Alabama State at 3:00 p.m. (CT) and Wright State at 5:30 p.m. (CT) on Saturday.

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