May 6, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning, catcher Casey Gorrell hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field that plated Amber Smith and gave the No. 22 Illinois State softball team a 1-0 win over visiting Missouri State, Sunday at Redbird Softball Complex. The game-winning run secured the sweep of Missouri State and ensured the No. 2 seed for the Redbirds in next week's 2007 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Playing more innings on Sunday than in yesterday's doubleheader combined, the Redbirds won their first extra-inning contest in three attempts this season. The Redbirds tallied just six hits on the day as six different `Birds grabbed one hit apiece.
Illinois State improves to 42-14-1 on the year, 18-7-1 in Valley play. The Redbirds finished the season in second place behind Creighton, which finished the season, 37-12-1 and 19-4-1. Suffering the sweep, Missouri State, with its 21-28, 10-14 MVC record, fell to the No. 6 seed for the conference tournament.
Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer was proud of the way her team battled against a strong Missouri State team.
"Missouri State has always been a very strong team and it was very uncharacteristic to see those losses yesterday," said Fischer. "I was glad that we were able to take advantage of that and get those two wins and then come out today and get the sweep. I was excited that we won an extra-inning game. I thought we were all getting a little fatigued towards the end but I was really proud of our players, especially those who didn't get a chance to play but were strong voices on the bench, cheering our team on. I think that helped tremendously."
It was a true pitchers duel on Sunday, as Illinois State's Shannon Nicholson and Bear's hurler Melissa Porche did battle for 12 full innings. Porche gave up just six hits in twice as many innings and struck out seven batters. The right-handed junior from Missouri State retired 16 straight Redbird batters, spanning the first five innings of play. Nicholson put a Missouri State runner on in all but two innings, but the Redbird defense hung strong, not allowing a single runner to cross as the Bears stranded 14 runners on the base paths. Nicholson struck out six batters, as all but one were third strike calls. The senior pitcher's change-up continued to stun Missouri State, walking just one batter, while scattering 10 hits.
"It was a great ballgame, a battle all the way through," said Fischer. "Both teams had some opportunities but neither could capitalize on them until we did in the 12th inning. I thought Porche pitched a great ball game for them. She was much difference from yesterday, and we anticipated that. I also thought Shannon did a great job for us, as well."
Kara Nelson reached on an error in the bottom of the first before Porche went to work in the circle. Another Redbird base runner didn't reach until the bottom half of the sixth when Jackie Williams placed a perfect bunt just feet away from home plate up the first base line. Williams beat the throw to first to tally the Redbirds' first hit of the day.
Smith walked to open the 12th inning, forcing a walk from a 3-2 count to take first base. With one out, Jessie Buker then singled to left field as Smith took second and the pair were quickly joined by designated player Stacy Birk who hit a similar single to left. Gorrell then won the game for the `Birds with her second sacrifice fly of the season when Smith scored from third, sliding around the tag at home plate.
Illinois State will host the 2007 State Farm MVC Tournament at Redbird Softball Complex on May 10-12. No. 6 Missouri State will take on No. 7 Bradley on Thursday evening and the winner will then play No. 3 Southern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday night. ISU will play the winner of that contest in game six on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
Stay tuned to GoRedbirds.com for all the action surrounding this year's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Softball Tournament, hosted by Illinois State.
