March 12, 2006
Box Score
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -
Shannon Nicholson's nearly flawless performance in the circle helped the Redbirds down Western Kentucky, 6-0 for the title of the WKU Invitational on Sunday. The only hit Nicholson (4-5) allowed came with two outs in the seventh, while she tied her career high with nine strikeouts and walked just three.
Tricia Gaither helped the `Birds (11-7) get on the board in the bottom of the third after reaching base safely on a walk. After stealing second base, Gaither moved to third on a passed ball with one out. Amber Smith was then hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Gaither then scored on a wild pitch by struggling Hilltopper starter Adrienne Lathrop. The Redbirds scored their second run after Lathrop walked three straight batters to push Smith across and keep the bases loaded.
After walking four `Birds and hitting one with a pitch, Lathrop gave way to Ryan Rogge. Casey Gorrell singled to left center, driving in a pair of runs to make it 4-0. However, Jessie Buker got caught between second and third for an out and Gorrell was thrown out trying to sneak over to second following the play to end the inning.
In the following frame, Tiffany Prager made her first hit of the weekend count as she slammed a double to the gap in left center with one out and came around to score on a pair of wild pitches by Rogge. Gaither was walked a third time and Patton drove a pitch into left center for a double as both runners got into scoring position. Then Smith nearly had her third homer of the day as the left fielder caught her fly ball with her back up against the fence for a sacrifice fly to give ISU a six-run edge, the final margin.
Illinois State's five hits came from five different Redbirds, while Gorrell led ISU with a pair of runs batted in.
Gaither was named tournament MVP, while Patton, Smith and Birk each earned all-tournament team accolades.
Tuesday the Redbirds open their home slate with a 4 p.m. contest against Big Ten foe, Illinois at Redbird Softball Complex.
