Soccer in the Fort: Fort Wayne FC Season Preview

By Gavin Greer

Fort Wayne FC‘s third season kicks off at their new home, the Bishop D’Arcy Stadium on May 13. Fort Wayne FC looks to continue to grow in 2023 after rapidly improving since their first season in 2021.

Fort Wayne FC is a soccer club located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that was founded in 2019 by a group of local business men and former soccer players. The owners founded this club to bring a stepping stone for young and talented players to Fort Wayne.

The club is coached by Mike Avery who also serves as the team’s sporting director. The club is made up of young local talent and young international players who are working on their game for their future soccer careers. 

The teams first year saw their season end with a record of 1-8-5. Their second season ended with a record of 9-3-2. With more experience playing in the USL League Two, the team will hope to reach the playoffs after falling one game short last year.

The team has announced that many of their players are returning for another season. This includes Tom Abrahamsson, Beto Anaya, Alex “Frenchy” Frank and homegrown Reid Sproat amongst others.

FWFC have also added international, college level and high school level players to their roster for the upcoming season.

This includes French midfeilder Tavio D’Almeida from Cadriff City, AJ Cousins from Villanova and Namik Mehic who is a sophomore at Northrop High School. Mehic joined the team after a greta performance at open tryouts.

In 2023 FWFC will continue their sponsorship with Puma and will have new home and away kits.

The club will play their season at their new home, the Bishop D’Arcy Stadium. This move came after FWFC and the University of Saint Francis agreed to a partnership.

FWFC has an interesting history, you can learn more about it here.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Softball Team Loses Series Against Eastern Illinois

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne’s softball team lost both games of a two game series against Eastern Illinois. The series was played as a double header today where the first game was a 1-2 PFW loss and the second game was a 1-11 loss for PFW.

The first game of the series started at noon and saw Eastern Illinois win over PFW.

Eastern Illinois got on the board first in the 2nd inning as they scored run two runs. PFW finally cut into this lead in the 5th inning when they scored their only run, but this was not enough to avoid defeat.

PFW’s Alanah Jones took the loss in this game as they struck out six through seven innings. Jones is now 7-10 on the season.

The Mastodons best batter in this game was Sonia Solis as they batted 2/3 from the plate.

The second game of the series ended as a 1-11 loss for PFW.

It took awhile for scoring to begin, but once Eastern Illinois got started they continued to add on runs. They first scored in the 4th inning as they scored three runs. They added three more runs in the 5th inning. Their scoring came to an end in the 6th inning as they added their final five runs. PFW scored their lone run in the 6th.

Gracie Brinkerhoff took the loss for PFW in this game as they pitched 4.0 innings. She is now 6-6 on the season.

Taryn Jenkins was the best batter for the Mastodons in this game as they went 2/3 they scored the lone run for PFW.

Following the series PFW now sits at 16-24 on the season.

The Mastodons next time out will be Friday at home. They play the first game of their three game weekend series against Northern Kentucky.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Baseball Team Upsets Michigan State In Single Game Matchup

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne’s baseball team won today in a single game matchup against Michigan State. The final score was 3-2 as PFW matched up against a far higher ranked MSU. MSU is ranked 55th in Division I baseball and PFW is ranked 262nd out of 305 Division I teams.

The game started off when PFW got on the board in the 1st inning with one run. MSU matched this in their side of the inning. PFW retook the lead in the 4th inning scoring another. The Mastodons set their final total in the 5th as they added one more run. MSU finally added another run in the 8th but it was too little too late.

PFW’s Brendan Reid took the win on the day. He threw three strikeout. Reid is now 2-2 on the season.

Justin Miller got the save taking his total to four on the season.

The Mastodon’s best batter in this matchup was Braedon Blackford. Blackford went 3/4 from the plate and sent in one RBI.

With the loss Michigan State is now 23-11 on the season. They have a three game series against their rivals, Michigan. This series will run from Friday through Sunday.

With the win PFW is now 10-28 on the season.

The Mastodons next time out will be Friday against Wright State.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Baseball Team’s Loses Weekend Series to Milwaukee

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne’s baseball team played a three game weekend series from Friday to Saturday against Milwaukee. The mastodons picked up a win in the first game but lost the next two.

PFW started the series off strong in the first game as they scored three runs in the 1st inning. Milwaukee cut into PFW’s lead in the 2nd inning as they scored their first run. PFW added one more run in the 4th to make the score 4-1.

Milwaukee stepped it up in the 5th inning as they scored three runs tying the game 4-4. PFW rebounded from this and scored three runs of their own in the 6th and held the 7-4 lead the rest of the game.

Mac Ayers picked up the win for PFW and Justin Miller collected his third save of the season. Ayers is 2-1 on the year and Miller collected his 200th career strikeout.

Braedon Blackford was PFW’s best batter as he went 2/4, scored two runs and added two RBIs.

The second game of the series was supposed to be played as a double header on Friday, but due to rain it became part of a Saturday double header.

This game ended in a 6-7 loss for PFW as they fell just short of a comeback in the 9th inning.

Milwaukee got on the board first in the 2nd inning where they scored one run. PFW matched them in the 3rd inning.

Milwaukee took a big lead in the 4th inning as they scored four more runs. Milwaukee added one more run to their lead setting the score at 6-1 at the top of the 7th. In the bottom of the 7th PFW cut into the lead as they scored three runs setting the score to 6-4 for Milwaukee.

In the 9th inning Milwaukee added their seventh and final run. PFW was able to get close as they scored two final runs but this was not enough with the game ending 7-6.

Jacob Myer took the loss for PFW. He is now 0-4 on the season.

Blackford was agin PFW’s best batter as he went 3/5 from the plate with one of his hits being a home run, scored two runs and sent home four RBIs.

The final game of the series was the worst for PFW as they lost 8-15.

Milwaukee scored in every inning except the 1st and the 8th. They scored two in the 2nd, six in the 3rd, two in the 4th, one in the 5th, one in the 6th, two in the 7th and one final run in the 9th.
PFW only scored in the 5th and 8th innings where they scored four runs each.

Owen Willard took the loss for PFW. He is 0-3 on the season.

Blackford was the best batter for PFW yet again as he went 2/4, scored one run, sent home two RBIs and reached base on a walk.

Following series loss PFW now sits at 9-28 on the season.

The Mastodons next time out will be Wednesday as they play a single game against Michigan State.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Softball Team Losses Weekend Series Against Robert Morris University

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne’s softball team faced off against Robert Morris University in a three game series which ran from Friday to Saturday.

In this series PFW collected a win in the first game but the lost the final two games to lose the series.

The first game of the series took place on Friday. This was PFW’s only win in the series as they defeated RMU 3-1.

The game was scoreless until the 5th inning where PFW came alive and score all three of their runs. RMU scored their lone run in the 6th but could not get the game any closer.

The Mastodons best batter in this game was Taryn Jenkins who went 2/4 from the plate. She scored one run and added one RBI.

Gracie Brinkerhoff got the win as she only allowed one run in 5.1 innings pitched. She totaled six strikeouts.

The second game of the series also took place on Friday, but did not have the same result for PFW as they lost 2-4 to RMU.

PFW got on the board early, scoring a run in the 1st and 3rd innings. PFW could not get a runner home for the remainder of the game.

RMU scored a run in the 4th inning before scoring three more in the 5th to set the final score at 2-4.

PFW’s best batter in this game was Jenkins again as she batted 1/3, scored the team’s two runs and reached base on a walk.

PFW’s Alanah Jones took the loss in this game. She is 7-9 on the season.

The final game of the series was on Saturday. This game also resulted in a PFW loss as they fell 2-7.

RMU got on the board in the 2nd inning as they scored one run. They then added four in the 4th and then two in the 5th.

PFW struggled at the plate and were unable to score until the 7th inning where they were able to score their two runs of the day.

PFW’s best batter in this game was again Jenkins. She batted 2/4, scored a run and added one RBI.

Brinkerhoff took the loss and now sits at 6-5 on the season.

Following this series, PFW now sits at 15-20 on the season. While they are not doing too well on the year, the Mastodons are playing well in conference as their conference record is 7-4.

PFW’s next time out will be Wednesday as they have a double header against Eastern Illinois at home.

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Purdue Fort Wayne Men’s Volleyball Season Comes to an End After Loss to Lewis University In the MIVA Tournament

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball team’s season came to an end on Saturday as they lost to Lewis University in the quarterfinals of the MIVA tournament.

PFW lost 1-3 to Lewis with set score being 15-25, 18-25, 25-16 and 36-38. The Mastodons fought to avoid elimination, but the extended fourth set proved too much for the team.

Lewis outperformed PFW in almost every statistic.

Lewis beat PFW in kills as they had 63 compared to PFW’s 55. Christian Prayer led Lewis in this stat with 17 kills. PFW’s Jon Diedrich had a game high 19 kills.

The stat of blocks was a closer contest between the teams as Lewis had seven and PFW had six. Antonio Elias Rodriguez of Lewis had a game high five blocks. PFW was led in this stat by Ryan Steponaitis who had four.

PFW had more errors and a lower hitting percent than Lewis as PFW had 21 errors and hit .270% compared to Lewis who had 15 errors and hit .403%.

The only stat that PFW had the edge in was aces as they had five while Lewis only had three. Mark Frazier had a game high four aces. Lewis had three different players who had one ace.

PFW finished this season 16-13 in total and 7-7 in conference play. After a hot start at the beginning of the year, PFW began to struggle as they faced multiple ranked opponents. The Mastodons ended the season on a three game losing streak.

Jon Diedrich had a great season for PFW as he was an All-MIVA First Team honoree.

After defeating PFW, Lewis will now face NO. 1 Ball State in the MIVA semifinals.

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Purdue Fort Wayne Women’s Golf Team Finishes 9th in Lady Jaguars Invitational

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne women’s golf team finished in 9th at the Lady Jaguars Invitational over the weekend. In this invitational that ran from Saturday to Sunday saw the Mastodons finish ahead of Horizon League opponents, Detroit Mercy and Northern Kentucky.

As a team PFW shot 319 in round one and 327 in round two for a total score of 646.

PFW had one golfer finish within the top 25. This golfer was PFW’s number one, Anna Olafsdottir who finished the invitational tied for 25th.

Olafsdottir shot 80 in round one and 79 in round two for a total score of 159.

Lauara Caetano and Natalie Papa finished within the top 35. Caetano finished tied for 30th and Papa finished tied for 33rd.

Lauara Caetano shot 81 in round one and 79 in round two for a total score of 160. Papa shot 79 in round one and 82 in round two for a total score of 141.

Taylor Norman and Arny Dagsdottir tied for 46th as they both shot 166 through the two rounds.

Luiza Caetano finished last for PFW as she shot for a total score of 169

The Lady Jaguar Invitational was won by host IUPUI who had a team score of 611.

The Mastodons next time out will be this Sunday where they will compete in the two day Horizon League Championship.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Softball Team Loses Three Game Series to Cleveland State

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne’s softball team lost two of three games in a two day series against Cleveland State. The series ran from Tuesday till Wednesday afternoon. Each game was close, but in the first two games PFW fell short and CSU was able to make comebacks.

The first game on series was played on Tuesday. This game ended in a 7-10 loss for PFW. The Mastodons fell apart in the 6th inning allowing seven runs from the 6th inning till the end of the game in the 8th inning.

Gracie Brinkerhoff took the loss for PFW and she now has a pitching record of 5-4 on the season. She allowed four runs in 5.1 innings pitched.

Taryn Jenkins was PFW’s best batter in this game as she batted 3/5, scored two runs and added a RBI.

The next game of the series took place Wednesday, this game saw PFW lose another lead as they lost 9-12. Going into the 6th inning PFW was up 8-7, things quickly changed as Cleveland State scored five runs in their side of the inning.

Alyson Quinlan took the loss for PFW. Her pitching record is now 3-7. She allowed nine runs in 5.0 innings.

Sonia Solis was PFW’s best batter in this game. She went 4/4 from the plate with one of her hits being a grand slam. She scored one run and collected six RBI’s.

PFW was able to win the final game of the series 5-2. They took an early lead in the 2nd inning and never looked back.

Alanah Jones got the win for PFW, she pitched a complete game where she had five strikeouts. Her pitching record is now 7-8 on the season.

Sonia Solis was again PFW’s best batter in this game as she batted 3/3, scored a run and sent home one RBI.

Following this three game series PFW now sits at 15-20 on the season. Their next time out will be Friday as they begin a three game weekend series against Robert Morris.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Baseball Team Falls to Dayton After Early Struggles Put Them In a Deep Hole.

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne’s baseball team lost 3-8 against Dayton. The Mastodons allowed Dayton to take a big lead in the first inning and they were never able to recover. PFW was able to get hits, but they again were not able to turn base runners into runs.

The game started off with PFW scoring a single run in the 1st inning. In the opposite side of the inning Dayton started hot by scoring four runs.

Both teams went scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd inning.

PFW cut into Daytons lead as they scored another run, this made the score 2-4. Dayton quickly changed this as they added three runs taking the score to 2-7.

Bats went quiet again for both sides in the 5th and 6th innings.

PFW added their final run of the game in the 7th making the score 3-7.

Dayton then scored the final run of the game in the 8th setting the final score to 3-8 for PFW.

Designated hitter, Caileb Johnson, was PFW’s best batter as he went 3/5 at the plate with one of the hits being a home run. He also scored a run himself and sent home one RBI.

PFW’s Hayden Enas took the loss on the day as he allowed six hits and four earned runs in 2.0 innings pitched.

With the loss PFW fell to 8-26 on the season.

The Mastodons next time out will be against Milwaukee on Friday. This will be the start of a three game weekend series.

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Purdue Fort Wayne’s Mens Golf Team Finishes Second In Jewell Invitational

By Gavin Greer

Purdue Fort Wayne men’s golf team finished second in the two day Jewell Invitational. The invitational started on Monday and ran till this afternoon.

PFW’s Kasey Lilly finished tied for third 3rd in the 84 player field. This was Lilly’s first top-five finish of the season.

He shot 68 in the first round, 75 in the second round and 67 in the third round for a total score of 210. This tied his best score for the year.

The Mastodons had two more players finish in the top 25 as Burke Pitz finished 9th and Hunter Mefford finished tied for 17th.

In his second top-10 of his career, Pitz shot 76 in round one, 68 in round two and 70 in round three for a total score of 214.

Mefford shot 76 in round one, 73 in round two and 68 in round three for a total score of 217.

Jadden Ousley golfed as an individual and finished tied for 14th in the event.

Northern Kentucky won the invitational with a team score of 564. Their top player was Evan Stewart who tied with Lilly for 3rd.

The top golfer in the event was Ballard Harris from Bellarmine.

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