Feb. 25, 2007
Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Sharp pitching by Shannon Nicholson and homers from Kaprice Williams and Michelle Henderson lifted the Illinois State softball team over No. 16/17 Baylor, 4-1, in the final game of the NFCA Classic in Columbus, Ga. Williams smacked a pair of home runs in the shutout win, as the `Birds shared the silver bracket championship title, going 4-1 on the weekend.
ISU improves to 11-4 overall, picking up its third win of the season over a ranked opponent. Baylor moves to 15-4 with the loss. The `Birds share the NFCA Leadoff Classic silver bracket championship title with fellow Missouri Valley Conference team Southern Illinois. The Salukis downed Florida State 4-1 on Sunday.
Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer, whose team tallied six hits on the day, was impressed with her team's overall play this weekend.
"This was a great tournament for the Valley," said Fischer. "Along with Southern Illinois, we were able to get our names out there an really represent the MVC. This team is doing almost everything we're asking them to do at this point and playing very good softball. Our main goal is get better every time we step on the field. I'm really proud of them right now and think they are doing a great job out there."
After two quick innings that saw no more than four batters for either Illinois State or Baylor, Redbird shortstop Williams launched a solo shot to deep left field that cleared the fence for her first home run of the weekend. Williams run was the first for the game to put ISU up, 1-0, in the top of the third.
Freshman designated player Henderson followed suit in the top of the fourth. With Amber Smith on first after reaching on a walk, Henderson smacked a long shot down the left field line that stayed fair and got over the fence for a two-run homer. The long ball gave Illinois State a 3-0 advantage and was the third of the weekend for the Bloomington, Ill., native and the fourth in her Redbird career. Baylor was forced to change pitchers after Henderson's shot, as designated player Kirsten Shortridge took over in the circle for Bear's starter Lisa Ferguson.
Leading off for the `Birds in the top of the fifth was Williams in just her second at bat of the game. The 5-10 right hander took a high fly ball to dead center field that looked as if it would be caught be Baylor center fielder Miriam Romero. But the Bears senior outfielder crashed into the fence as the ball landed over her head for Williams' second home run of the game. The homer was number three on the year for the sophomore, giving her seven for her career, as the `Birds hit at least one home run in four of their five weekend games and have hit 17 total on the year.
"I think we are really focusing on having good at bats and those home runs are just coming along with that," said Fischer. "Kaprice (Williams) certainly had a day for us and I thought Michelle (Henderson) just had a great weekend. She (Michelle) got her first opportunity in a starting role and really stepped it up and took advantage of that opportunity."
Saving the shutout in the bottom of the seventh, Baylor's Brette Reagan hit a double into left center field to lead off the Bear's offense. Back-to-back singles by Shortridge and Kelsey Sage plated Reagan for the lone Bear run.
Nicholson tallied the win in the circle for the Redbirds, improving to 6-3 on the year. The senior co-captain gave up five hits in the seven-inning contest, striking out five and walking two Bear batters. Fellow senior pitcher Stacy Birk came in with one out in the bottom of the seventh and picked up the save for Illinois State.
Fischer believed Nicholson carried the team from a pitching standpoint for the weekend.
"Shannon had a really good weekend in the circle for us," said Fischer. "She stumbled a few times throughout the weekend but I am really proud of the way she stepped it up in this game. She did what she needed to do and got us to that seventh inning and then Stacy came in and did a great job in relief."
Illinois State continues their road tournament schedule next weekend, heading to Los Angeles to participate in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. Hosted by UCLA, the three-day tournament will be held from March 2-4 and will feature the `Birds, the Bruins, Florida and Long Beach State.
