Feb. 10, 2006
Box Score
CONWAY, S.C. -
Illinois State hung tough with No. 3 Tennessee through seven innings, but the Lady Vols squeaked out a run in the top of the eighth to claim a 1-0 victory and hand the `Birds their first loss of the season at the Coastal Carolina Tournament in Conway, S.C.
Tennessee placed a runner on base in all but one inning yet its first opportunity to score didn't come until the fifth. With one out, Shannon Doepking reached on a Redbird error on the infield. After a pop out, Liane Horiuchi singled to shallow left field to put runners on the corners. But pinch hitter Natalie Brock was unable to capitalize for the Lady Vols as she grounded out to second base to end the threat.
Illinois State got it's first hit of the game at a critical time - the bottom of the seventh inning. With one down freshman Casey Gorrell lined a shot into right field to give the Redbirds their first baserunner of the game, and ultimately their only hit of the game. Kelsey Warning moved Gorrell to second on a dribbler to the catcher. All-American pitcher Monica Abbott then intentionally walked Amber Smith to face senior Randi Patton, ISU's most experienced hitter in late-game situations. But Patton was unable to push the run across.
With the international tie-breaker in effect, the Lady Vols eked out a run in the top of the eighth for the game's only score. It didn't appear as if they were going to score as Redbird starter Shannon Nicholson sent the first two batters down in order. But Sarah Fekete drove a single up the middle and Horiuchi came around to score from second just before the relay reached the plate.
In the bottom of the frame, Jessie Buker laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Patton to third base. But Abbott was too much for the Redbirds as the ensuing batters went down in order to finish the game.
Nicholson allowed just two hits while striking out six and walking a pair. Abbott struck out 18 Redbirds and surrendered just one hit for Tennessee. Gorrell had the `Birds' only hit of the game, while Fekete led UT with a pair of hits.
ISU faces tournament host Coastal Carolina this evening at 6 p.m. CST.
