FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Omaha softball dropped the series opener to Purdue Fort Wayne 6-5 in eight innings Saturday at the Purdue Fort Wayne Softball Complex.

The Mavericks fell to 3-34 on the season, including a 1-9 mark in Summit League play.  The Mastodons improved to 7-28 (2-8).

The first game of the series started on Friday, April 12, but darkness forced an early end to the game, and it picked back up Saturday morning prior to the regularly schedule doubleheader.

Purdue Fort Wayne took the early lead in the bottom of the first.  Alise Hale hit her first home run of the season to put the Mastodons in front 2-0.

Omaha answered in the top of the second.  After loading the bases, Natalie Mostek drew a walk to force in a run.  Emma Dargy then hit a two-run single to left to put Omaha on top 3-2.

The Mavericks' lead did not last long as the Mastodons loaded the bases in the bottom half of the frame.  Morganne Denny then was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run.

Omaha again rallied in the top of the third.  Emily Klosterman laced a two-run single through the right side to give the Mavericks a 5-3 advantage.

Purdue Fort Wayne answered in the bottom half of the inning.  Lexi Smalarz hit a two-run double to left field that evened the game at 5-5.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth when Lauren Watson hit a RBI single to right field to give Purdue Fort Wayne the 6-5 win.

Klosterman went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI.  Dargy finished 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.  Alexa Sedlak went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored.  Hailey Bartz, Janae Cameron and Jamie White each had base hits for the Mavericks.

Starter Ryanne Millington allowed five runs on five hits and three walks over 2.0 innings of work.  Sydney Hampton (1-14) allowed one run on five hits with 10 strikeouts over 5.1 innings.