May 12, 2005
WICHITA, Kan. -
Creighton took advantage of timely hits and Redbird errors in route to a 2-0 win over Illinois State in both teams' first game of the 2005 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita, Kan.
Illinois State (30-20) got the leadoff batter on in five innings, threatening first in the second frame. Mandy Garner led off with single to centerfield after just missing a home run on a foul ball over the outfield wall just two feet to the left of the foul pole. Garner moved to second on a Lauren Bierwirth sacrifice bunt, and went to third on a passed ball. But the threat ended there as starter Tammy Nielsen induced a pop out and got a strikeout to get out of the frame.
Creighton (41-11) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Christine Fukumoto started the rally with a line drive double to the wall in left center. After advancing to third on a sacrifice, Fukumoto scored on Mary Egan's bloop single just over the head of Kate Stake at second base. The ensuing batter reached safely when Redbird starter Shannon Nicholson stumbled trying to field the ball. Nicholson then got out of the inning courtesy of a groundout and a pop out on the infield.
Both teams waited out a 40-minute rain delay just prior to the start of the fourth inning. The Redbirds then ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth when the leadoff batter reached on an ISU error. She went to second on a groundout, and moved on to third on a bunt single by Lauren Flores. Melanie Dorsey then drove in the Bluejays' second run with a double slapped to left center. Nicholson then intentionally walked Player of the Year Abby Johnson, loading the bases. Creighton left the bases loaded as the next two batters flew out and lined out, respectively.
In the top of the sixth, Stake helped the `Birds threaten for the first time since the second inning. She reached on a leadoff single to centerfield for ISU's second hit of the game. Then with two outs, Garner singled to left field for her second hit of the day. However, both runners were left stranded as Nielsen struck out Bierwirth to end the threat.
The Redbird offense got better looks against Nielsen Thursday than it did the first two times it faced her. Only eight `Birds struck out, in contrast to the 23 batters Nielsen fanned in two full games during the regular season. However she did manage to retire the side in the seventh.
Nicholson (15-11) took the loss, striking out two and walking one while surrendering seven hits. Nielsen (25-6) walked just one and allowed three hits.
Garner led the `Birds offensively, going 2-for-3 and Stake was 1-for-3. Dorsey and Egan each had a pair of hits for the Bluejays.
ISU will have another crack at No. 1 seeded Southern Illinois at 11 a.m. on Friday. The Salukis (46-11) dropped their opening round game against No. 4 SMS, 6-4. SIU swept the 'Birds in three straight games during the regular season.
Thursday, Stake and Garner were also named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine All-District V Team. Stake carries a 3.70 GPA in English, while Garner has a 3.68 average in Accounting. Meanwhile, Stacy Birk, who carries a 3.58 GPA in Industrial Technology, collected second team all-district honors.
