March 31, 2007
Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. -
A dominating pitching performance by Shocker pitcher Margo Prius shut down the Redbird bats, as the No. 17 Illinois State softball team fell to Wichita State, 5-1 in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader at Wilkins Stadium. The `Birds picked up their offensive production in game two, coming back from a three-run deficit to tie the game in the top of the sixth but the battle ended in the bottom of the 12th when WSU plated a run to take the decision, 4-3.
The back-to-back losses were the first of the season for Illinois State, as the team moves to 29-9, 7-3 in the Valley. Wichita State improved to 18-22 overall, 6-4 in MVC play.
Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer believed each member of her team could have done a better job of making contact with the ball and hitting with runners in scoring position.
"We had 21 strikeouts on the day and we haven't seen that from this team all year," said Fischer. "Everybody has to pick each other up right now and do their jobs individually so we can get the team results we're looking for."
After three full scoreless innings, the Shockers jumped on the `Birds with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. Wichita State used four hits, courtesy of singles from Kara L'Huillier and Britnee Barnett, and a pair of doubles from Ashly Bright and Katie McGeeney to take the decisive lead. Three of those runs were unearned, however, as with one out and one runner on, Shocker right fielder Elisa Zeches laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Redbird catcher Casey Gorrell. The throw to first was taken by ISU second baseman Tiffany Prager, but Prager bobbled and dropped the throw as Zeches settled into first and Lindsie Mitts, who drew a walk from Stacy Birk to get on base. The costly error was charged to Prager on the play.
Wichita State added a run in the bottom of the fifth, pushing its advantage to 5-0. Illinois State starter Stacy Birk gave up a single to Shocker third baseman Stephanie DeLaRiva to open the inning and the Redbird coaching staff brought in sophomore utility player Amber Smith for relief. Smith walked the first batter she faced and gave up a single to Mittes that plated DeLaRiva before striking out two consecutive WSU batters to end the inning.
The Redbirds attempted a two-out rally in the top of the seventh with Gorrell hitting a double up the right-field line. Freshman designated player Michelle Henderson followed with a similar double up the left-field line to score Gorrell. The single run was all the `Birds could come up with as the game ended in favor of the Shockers, 5-1.
Illinois State was out-hit in the first contest, 10-5, tallying its second Valley loss. Birk shouldered the loss in the circle, giving up nine of those hits and striking out two. She moves to 15-4 on the year.
The Shockers scored their first run of game two in controversial fashion as WSU shortstop Barnett hit a slow roller to first base. Smith fielded the ball and threw home, attempting to get the lead runner McGeeney. Gorrell attempted to put-out the runner with the tag but she was called safe at the plate. Barnett was credited with a fielder's choice as Wichita State jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage. The ensuing batter Cynthia Verhulst increased the lead to three, smacking a two-run shot off ISU pitcher Shannon Nicholson. Verhulst's home run to center field was her ninth of the year.
The teams battled through four scoreless innings until the top of the sixth when the `Birds strung together consecutive hits for just the second time of the day and scored three runs to tie the ballgame. Kara Nelson hit her first single of the game up the middle to lead off the Redbird lineup and Prager followed with an identical single through the middle of the infield to put Illinois State runners on first and third. Nelson scored on a Kelsey Warning sacrifice fly to left field and Prager advanced to second. Jessie Buker then launched the `Birds' first home run of the day, a high fly ball to deep left field that just cleared the wall for two additional runs. Buker's two-run shot tied the game at three and was the utility player's ninth of the year, increasing the 2007 ISU total to 49.
After giving up a single to open the bottom of the sixth, Nicholson retired three straight Shocker batters to end the inning and give the Redbirds an opportunity to take their first lead of the day in the top of the seventh. The `Birds put two base runners on in the top half of the inning but couldn't plate a run to take the lead. Warning made an impressive grab in right field in the bottom half of the inning, running to her left and grabbing a Verhulst line drive that saved a Wichita State extra-base hit and a base runner. WSU couldn't get going offensively as the game continued into additional innings.
Illinois State and Wichita State fought through five scoreless extra innings until the bottom of the 12th when Barnett and Verhulst hit consecutive singles to put Shocker runners on first and second. DeLaRiva then roped a double to right center to plate Barnett and give WSU the victory.
Nicholson pitched all 11 innings for ISU, striking out seven batters. The last time a Redbird pitcher tossed 11 full innings was on March 14, 2004, when Nicholson did the same against Kansas. The senior pitcher moved to 11-4 on the year, though she pitched her first complete game since a March 10 win over Bradley earlier this season.
"Shannon was amazing out there today," said Fischer. "She gave us everything she had and competed very well in that long game today. The other players need to do what they can behind her. Shannon has a lot of guts and shows a lot of determination."
The `Birds and the Shockers will complete the three-game series on Sunday with a noon matchup at Wilkins Stadium.
