Despite three hits by Emily Krueger, including a home run to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh, the Redbirds (11-9) failed to record any more hits and fell to Kansas, 4-3 in 11 innings. Illinois States second game, against Southern Illinois, was cancelled due to lateness.
It was a really good game, and I thought we played great defensively, head coach
Melinda Fischer said. Shannon (Nicholson) pitched a great game, but we couldnt get any help for her from our offense. Emily (Krueger) had an excellent game and Serena (Cruz) and Dom (Borba) had really good games defensively.
The game was scoreless until Kansas centerfielder Mel Wallach broke open the game with a single to left field in the top of the sixth to score the runner from second.
Emily Krueger was clutch in the bottom of seven, leading off with a solo shot over the left center fence to tie the score at one. Kruegers sixth homer of the year ties the number of home runs she had all last season. The Birds couldnt put another run over the plate to end it, so the game went into extra innings and the tie breaker rule was enforced starting in the eighth inning.
After a scoreless eighth inning, Kansas went up by one in the top of the ninth when with two outs Ashley Frazier doubled to left field and scored the runner from third base. Illinois State countered with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning off a Krueger double to right field to knot the score at two.
Kansas put two runs over in the top of the 11th. With a runner on second, the first batter of the inning sacrificed the runner to third. Then Wallach came up big again with a triple to left center that scored the runner from third. Wallach then scored on a squeeze bunt to put the Jayhawks up, 4-2.
The Redbirds didnt roll over and die though. Mandy Garner started out on second base and advance to third on a wild pitch. She scored on the next pitch was also wild, to inch ISU a little closer. Krueger singled to left center with one out to put a runner on first. But Kate Stake hit into a double play to end the game in the bottom of the 11th.
Kansas ace Kara Pierce earned the win with 16 strikeouts, allowing just three hits and two walks.
Shannon Nicholson (4-3), ISUs starter, pitched the entire game and picked up the loss. She fanned nine batters (a career high), while allowing nine hits and three walks.
Krueger was the only Redbird who hit safely with three hits in five attempts, including a double and a home run.
Illinois State will play its home opener on Saturday with a doubleheader at noon against Creighton.
