Sophomore Becky McMurtry hit two home runs, tying the ISU single-game record, and five other Illinois State players recorded a hit but it was not enough to hold off No. 5 Alabama as the Crimson Tide defeated the Birds 6-3 in the championship game of the 2001 Bama Bash.
McMurtry, Nicole Kurth and April Schermann were named to the all-tournament team for Illinois State.
Illinois State (3-2) got the lead early in the top of the first after Shae Wesley singled and an error on Bama All-American Kelly Kretschman advanced her to second. Two batters later, McMurtry hit a two-run homer past left center, giving ISU the 2-0 lead.
The Crimson Tide (4-0) answered back in the fourth when All-American Ginger Jones hit a solo home run, narrowing the lead. One batter later, Jackie McClain did the same, rounding the bases and tying the score.
In the top of the sixth, McMurtry smacked her second home run of the day, putting ISU back on top 3-2. But Bama had an impressive inning of its own when the lead-off batter, McClain walked, setting up a single by its next batter landing two on base.
Another single loaded the bases and pinch hitter Angela Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home McClain and tie the game. An intentional walk of Kretschman loaded the bases again and an error by ISUs shortstop, Abbie Scott, scored another Tide runner. Alabama ended the inning with four runs, two hits and the three-run lead.
ISU started off good in the top of the seventh, as Jenni Neeley reached on a Bama error. But it was not enough for the Birds as their next two batters struckout and McMurtry grounded out to end the game.
ISU head coach
Melinda Fischer said after the game she couldnt be happier with the way her team played for so early in the season.
This was just a great ballgame, Fischer said. It was great caliber of ball from us and them and we took big steps up. I thought we struggled on the mound a little, but we learned a lot and couldnt ask for a better game from this team this early in the season.
The Redbirds return to action next weekend at the Arizona State Tournament in Tempe, Ariz.
