Oct. 1, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Jessie Buker's lead-off home run in the bottom of the sixth inning scored the game-winning run for the Illinois State softball team, as the 2006-07 Redbirds downed the Early `Birds, a team made up of former softball alumni, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at Redbird Softball Complex.
The alumni's roster was packed with popular Redbird softball names, featuring eight former All-Americans. NFCA All-American (1998 &1999) Heather Stella led the Early `Birds as their head coach, and she was assisted by former Redbird (2002-05) Mandy Garner. Easton All-American (2001) Nicole Kurth-Duncheon opened in the circle for the Early `Birds, as fellow All-Americans Bridget Fournie, Kate Stake, April Schermann, Emily Kreuger, Shae Wesley and Priscilla Welch-Delaere were also in the starting lineup for the alumni
Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer promised a competitive atmosphere for fans and a learning experience for her current team.
"It was a great ballgame," said Fischer. "They put pressure on us and some of it we didn't handle so well. But, I think we learned a lot from that. I also thought we were able to stop some things at key times that they were trying to do, as well. I thought it was a great competitive ball game to end the fall season."
The alumni were the first on the board in the top of the third inning. Wesley reached first on a perfectly-placed bunt up the third base line and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Welch-Delaere. Dominique Borba then singled to left field as Wesley moved to third. A fielder's choice was then hit by 2003-04 alum Amy Ehret to Amber Smith at first, who attempted to throw home to get the second out of the inning. Smith's throw was too high for catcher Casey Gorrell as Wesley came in to score the Early `Birds' first run.
Katie Hanko was walked to load the bases, with Borba at third and Ehret at second. A squeeze play was executed by Lauren Bierwirth as Borba came around to score. Ehret caught the defense off guard by rounding third at full speed and scoring the third and final run of the inning. The alumni scored three runs on two hits in the top of the third.
The Redbirds answered in the bottom of the third, as freshman Kara Nelson hit a one-out double to short left field. Tiffany Prager then singled with a hard hit ball to left field as Nelson held at second. Pitcher Stacy Birk was credited with the team's first RBI, singling to left center as Nelson came around to score.
In the top of the fourth inning, Shannon Nicholson took over pitching duties for the `Birds, allowing just a single hit in the inning. With the Redbirds back on offense, Sheila Emms came into the circle for the alumni in the bottom of the fourth.
Buker singled up the left side to open the inning, and advanced to second when junior transfer Jennifer Brown walked. Nicholson was then hit by her first pitch from Emms to load the bases, as Kaprice Williams walked to the plate. Williams singled to short left field to score Buker, while the bases remained full.
The Early `Birds then switched pitchers for the second time in the fourth inning, with Katie Newman entering the circle. Nelson grounded out to second base but was credited with an RBI as Nicholson came around to score. Entering the fifth inning the score was tied at three.
Scoring halted until the bottom of the sixth, when Buker took the first pitch of the inning over the left field fence to break the tie. Her first home run of the fall resulted in the game-winning run for the current Redbird squad, as the current Illinois State team went on to win, 4-3.
Fischer was pleased, though not surprised with Buker's hit.
"She's been hitting the ball really well," said Fischer. "Throughout the course of practice this week I thought she's been getting better quality at-bats. I thought she had a good day yesterday offensively and that really carried over to today, as well."
The Illinois State softball team will host its "Parents and Friends Day" next Sunday at Redbird Softball Complex at 12 p.m. to cap off the 2006 fall season.
