The Illinois State softball team (1-1) defeated Florida International, 1-0 on Saturday in the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic to earn its first win of the season. It marks the first time in five tries that the Birds have beaten the Golden Panthers (0-2).
Freshman pitcher Shannon Nicholson earned the win in her Redbird debut. In seven innings of work, Nicholson allowed just three hits and one walk. Randi Patton led the Birds with two hits including a double and a run. Mandy Garner was 1-2, while Tricia Gaither and Dominique Borba were both 1-3.
Head coach
Melinda Fischer thought her team performed better today.
We had more hits and better at bats than we did yesterday, Fischer said. Shannon (Nicholson) pitched a fine game and I thought we looked a lot better defensively. And Randi (Patton) really made a huge difference in our lineup. She took advantage of all the opportunities she had and that was key.
The decisive run came in the first inning. Patton, ISUs leadoff hitter, sent a hard shot back to the pitcher but the ball was bobbled and Patton advanced to second on the throw to first base. Gaither then smacked a single over first base, advancing Patton to third. Emily Krueger then hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, sending Gaither to second. Patton, who took a big lead off third base while Kate Stake was up to bat, scored when the catcher tried to pick her off and the throw went into left field. Gaither advanced to third on the throw from left field. Stake flew out and Lauren Bierwirth struck out to the end ISUs first at bat.
Florida International rallied to start the third inning. An error at third base put a runner on first. The ensuing batter then hit a single to the left side. With no outs and runners on first and second, the third batter of the inning laid down a bunt to advance the runners one base. Nicholson then pitched out of a jam forcing the next two batters to ground out the left side to complete the inning.
Illinois States bats got hot again in the top of the fifth as Garner led off with a single and Patton recorded a double. But neither Redbird managed to score as Garner was caught stealing and Gaither finished the inning with a groundout to the pitcher.
Inclement weather forced the postponement of the Redbirds game against Kentucky with ISU up, 1-0 after two and a half innings.
The ISU bats were hot in the first inning for the second consecutive game. Patton reached base on an error in Illinois States first at bat, advancing to second on a bunt by Gaither. Krueger and Stake followed with walks to load the bases. Katie Guilbaults sacrifice fly to right center brought Patton home for Illinois States only run. Bierwirth followed with a single to load the bases a second time, but she was forced out at second on a fielders choice to the shortstop by Borba.
The Wildcats looked as if they would score in the bottom of the second, but Kentucky left runners on first and second base. A double by Stake in the third nearly propelled the Birds to a 2-0 advantage, but pinch runner Aundrea Parsons, who replaced Krueger at first base after a walk, was thrown out at the plate.
The remainder of the Kentucky game will be played on Sunday at 9 a.m. CST. When the game resumes, the Wildcats will be up to bat with no outs and no one on in the bottom of the third inning.
