Illinois State failed to get runs across in key situations in both games of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader against Southern Illinois on Saturday. The Redbirds (21-9, 5-4) dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season in a 3-1 and 2-1 loss to the Salukis (27-8, 7-1) at Redbird Softball Complex. ISU left six runners on in each game, while Southern Illinois left just six on all day.
Today we ran into the same problem weve been plagued by all year, ISU head coach
Melinda Fischer said. We get the bases loaded with one out and we cant get anybody across. Key hits in key situations have been an issue, and Southern (Illinois) was able to get it done today.
Kate Stake helped the Redbirds take an early lead in the opener with a home run to right center in the bottom of the first. Her blast on a 0-1 count was her fifth of the season, and just the fourth homer SIU starter Amy Harre had given up all season.
Illinois State went on to load the bases in the bottom of the third. With one out, Tricia Gaither reached on a walk and went to second on Stakes single to right field. Dominique Borba hit a dribbler down the third base line for a single to load the bases. However all three runners were left on the bases after a strikeout and Stacy Birks first pitch groundout back at Harre.
Southern Illinois tied it up in the top of the fifth on a solo shot over the right field wall by Chelsea Petty. The Salukis took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth. With one out, Lauren Roney singled to the right side beating the throw to first. Kelly Creek sacrificed Roney over to second with a bunt. After striking out in her first two at bats, Katie Jordan hit a bloop single to shallow centerfield to drive in the go ahead run. Lauren Haas helped SIU tack on another run with a two out solo shot over the wall in right center for the final run of the game.
Birk (10-2) took the loss for the Birds. She gave up five hits while striking out five and walking two. Harre (12-6) earned the win. She also allowed five hits and walked two while striking out just one ISU batter. Stake led all hitters with a three-for-three effort in the opener.
In game two the Birds again loaded the bases early. Gaither was hit by a pitch on the first pitch from starter Cassidy Scoggins. Stake moved her over with a single down the left field line, and Borba moved both of the runners into position with a sacrifice bunt. After a strikeout, Randi Patton reached on a walk to load the bases. But all three Redbirds were left stranded as the inning ended with another strikeout.
The Salukis took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Maria Damico led off with a single up the middle. Then Damico was safe at second when Gaithers throw to second on Scoggins fielders choice was in the dirt. Both runners moved into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt.
Tiffanie Dismore drove in the go ahead run when Stakes throw to the plate was late and bounced past catcher RaeAnn Ewen. Scoggins also attempted to score but Ewen was able to get the ball to Nicholson in time to catch her at the plate. Dismore went to second during the play at the plate, and scored on Krystal Steins single up the middle to give the Salukis a 2-0 advantage.
Randi Patton crushed a pitch deep over the wall in right field in the top of the following frame to cut the SIU lead to one. ISU threatened again in both the sixth and seventh innings. With two outs, Jen Wright drove a double into right field and Patton followed with a walk, but thats where they stayed as the frame ended with a flyout to centerfield.
Pinch hitter Tiffany Prager had a one out single up the middle in the seventh in the Redbirds rally attempt. Fischer then called upon Ashley Patterson to pinch hit. Patterson sent one to deep left center, and it looked as if the Birds might tie it up on a Patterson home run, but the ball was caught on the warning track by Stein. Gaither grounded out to Scoggins to complete the game.
Scoggins (12-2) earned the W in tossing a career high 13 strikeouts while walking just one and surrendering four hits. Nicholson (11-7) took the loss. She struck out five and walked one while allowing three hits. Seven different players tallied the seven hits in the game by both teams.
Kate (Stake) and Randi (Patton) played pretty well offensively today, Fischer said. And I thought Tiffany (Prager) and Ashley (Patterson) had great at bats for us in that seventh inning. But (Cassidy) Scoggins tossed a great game and we werent able to put the ball in play against her. She did a really nice job of mixing her pitches and we seemed a little undisciplined at the plate.
