Katy Jendrzejewskis two-run homer in the third inning led No. 2 seed Iowa past the No. 5 seed Illinois State Redbirds, 2-1, in NCAA Regional softball action in Iowa City, Iowa, Thursday. The Redbirds will play No. 6 seed Western Illinois tonight in the double-elimination tournament.
The score remained at zero until the home run in the third. Alicia Gerlach tripled to right field before Jendrzejewski hit her sixth homer of the season directly across the centerfield wall.
Down by two, the Redbirds scored their single run in the sixth inning when, after Becky McMurtry walked, Cutie Taylor hit a single, her second hit of the day, to advance McMurtry to third and place runners in scoring positions.
April Schermann stepped up next and reached on a throwing error by the Iowa shortstop driving home McMurtry, who scored, and Taylor, who ended up out at the plate on a throw from the right fielder to catcher Jendrzejewski.
The Redbirds had their chance to tie in the seventh when Katie Shifflet reached on an error by Hawkeye Erin Doud and a pitch hit Abbie Scott. With runners at first and second, Corey Harris and Shae Wesley popped up two balls for the second and third out, ending the game.
Redbird pitcher Nicole Kurth suffered her fifth loss of the season. She allowed eight hits, two earned runs, three walks and no strikeouts. Kristi Hanks of Iowa allowed three hits and one run while striking out one batter.
Taylor was 2-for-3 with a double and Schermann had ISUs third hit. Iowa had eight hits and two errors in the game.
This was just a great ballgame, so intense, head coach
Melinda Fischer said. The pitching was a big factor in this game and I thought we played tough against a strong team.
We had a couple of chances but couldnt take advantage of them, Fischer said. Hopefully we can rebound quickly and come back strong tonight against Western Illinois.
During the regular-season, Western Illinois beat ISU 4-3 in a single game in Macomb, Ill. The two will face-off at 7 p.m.
