March 10, 2007
Box Score
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -
A three-run shot in the bottom of the first off the bat of Kelsey Warning and a third inning grand slam from Casey Gorrell lifted the No. 18 Illinois State softball team over Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley, 8-0, in the opening game of the Southeast Missouri State Spring Classic in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer, whose team improved to 16-5 with the win, was pleased with the play of Warning and Gorrell, as well as the pitching effort from Shannon Nicholson.
"Kelsey and Casey both had some very good at bats, especially with runners in scoring position," said Fischer. "I was also pleased with Shannon's pitching this morning. She hung in there and really persevered, getting herself out of some problematic situations."
After a three-up, three-down top of the first for Bradley that saw Illinois State starter Shannon Nicholson tally a pair of strikeouts, Illinois State broke out to an early 3-0 lead, courtesy of Warning's home run. Warning plated Tiffany Prager and Amber Smith on the three-run shot, her second in as many games, giving the senior right fielder five on the year.
A two-hit second inning for the Braves threatened the Redbird lead but the ISU defense held strong behind Nicholson, collecting the third out of the second. The senior right hander went on to retire three straight BU batters in the third to stifle Bradley's offense.
Bradley pitcher Rebecca Bishop walked designated player Stacy Birk in the bottom of the third to load the bases and score Smith, who reached on a fielder's choice. Up 4-0, Illinois State's Warning advanced to third after reaching on a walk of her own and Jessie Buker, who singled to BU third baseman Alycia Bachkora, moved to second on the Birk walk. Gorrell, the `Bird's sophomore catcher, stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam over the left field fence, close to the foul poll, tallying four RBI and giving ISU an 8-0 advantage. The homer was the fourth of the season for Gorrell.
With Warning and Gorrell both hitting long balls in the win, it marked the seventh time this season that ISU had a multiple home run game. The `Birds continue to lead the Valley in home run hitting, with 22 shots in 2007.
The Braves threatened again in the top of the fifth, as a sacrifice bunt by Janay Mitchell advanced runners to second and third. With one out, Bradley pinch hitter Katy Dammer hit a short hopper to shortstop Kaprice Williams, who bobbled the ball. Williams looked at the throw to first as Nevit, who was pinch running for Miriam Wegmann, took off for the plate. Williams threw home to Gorrell, who tagged Nevit for the second out of the inning. The heads-up play by the Redbird shortstop banned hope for a Bradley run and secured the Illinois State shutout.
"Kaprice hung with that ball in the 5-6 hole and made a really good play," said Fischer. "She kept her head after bobbling that ball and the runner on third hung up a bit. Kaprice was able to use her quick arm and make the play."
Nicholson collected her third complete game and third shutout of the season, picking up the win in the circle for ISU. She allowed four hits and fanned five, while walking a single Bradley batter.
Illinois State continues play at the Southeast Missouri State Spring Classic on Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. contest against IUPUI.
