After a disappointing 3-1 loss in the opener, Illinois State regrouped to take the second game of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader at Creighton Saturday. The Redbird win halted the Bluejays win streak at 14 games, and gave CU its first home loss this season.
Creighton (21-4, 4-1 MVC) was the aggressor in game one, taking a lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Christine Fukumoto got on via a controversial hit by pitch call. After fouling off about ten pitches, Fukumoto tried to slap the ball, and appeared to have fouled off another pitch, but the umpire said she was hit by the pitch for a free pass to first base. Abby Johnson followed with a walk just before Mary Egan singled to centerfield scoring Fukumoto from second.
Redbird pitcher Stacy Birk tried to rally the Birds with a double down the left field line to start the second inning. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, Birk was unable to score as Creighton starter Tammy Nielsen retired the next two batters in order.
Illinois State (20-6, 4-1 MVC) hurt itself in the bottom of the second. With one out and a runner on first courtesy of a fielders choice, Katie Ayers slapped the ball to third base but Tricia Gaithers throw to second was low allowing the runner to advance to third to put Bluejays on the corners. Creighton then executed the squeeze perfectly to give the Jays a 2-0 lead. After a groundout moved two runners into scoring position, Fukumoto singled to the right side plating CUs second run of the frame for a 3-0 advantage.
The Birds finally got on the board in the top of the fourth. Dominique Borba led off with a walk and advanced to second when Jen Wright was hit by a pitch. Borba was then forced out at third on a fielders choice. After a strikeout, Parsons, who was in to run for Wright, scored on Randi Pattons RBI single to center. Patton advanced to second on the throw home while Birk went to third, but that was as far as they went as the inning ended with a strikeout.
With two outs in the fifth the Birds threatened again but couldnt get a run across as the inning finished with a strikeout. ISU also challenged in the top of the seventh as Mandy Garner started the frame with a walk. After a foul out, Kate Stake singled to left field and Borba was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Following a strikeout the game was left in Birks hands. But another controversial call prevented the Redbirds from scoring again as the umpire ruled that Creightons third baseman caught Birks low liner to end the game.
Birk suffered her first loss of the season in dropping to 9-1. She allowed just four hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking three. Birk and Stake each had two hits, while Patton had one hit and the only Illinois State RBI.
In game two Creighton again jumped out to a 1-0 lead, this time in the top of the second. Abby Johnson led of with a walk and moved to second on Mary Egans bloop single just over second baseman Stakes head. A fielders choice kept runners on first and second with one out, but both runners got into scoring position following a groundout. Egan then scored on Jamie Reiss bloop RBI single to right field.
ISU took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame, which held for the final score. Garner started the rally with a two-out single through the right side. After stealing second base, Garner scored on RaeAnn Ewens bloop double over third base. Ewen then came around to score on Katie Guilbaults single to the gap in left center for the games final score.
Gaither and Garner were both two-for-three in the nightcap, and each had a stolen base. Shannon Nicholson (11-5) earned the win, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out three. With the victory, Nicholson surpassed her win total from last season.
The teams will complete the series with a noon contest Sunday.
