March 1, 2008
Final Stats | Postgame Quotes 
COLUMBUS, Ga. -
A key RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning by senior second baseman Tiffany Prager gave the Redbirds a hard-fought two-run lead, as the Illinois State softball team (9-10) eked out a 2-0 win over Hofstra (7-7) Saturday night at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. Prager was one of four Redbird hitters to record a hit in the game, as Illinois State improved its Leadoff Classic record to 3-1.
Illinois State also received hits in the game from junior pitcher Amber Smith (2-for-2), freshman designated player Abby Olson (1-for-3), junior catcher Casey Gorrell (1-for-2) and sophomore first baseman Michelle Henderson (1-for-3 with a run scored).
Smith (3-4) had a stellar outing for Illinois State in the circle, as she pitched a complete-game shutout, 10-strikeout performance for her third win of the season. Smith's four-hitter was her second complete game of the season and the first shutout of her Redbird softball career.
After placing runners on first and third base with one out in the bottom of the second inning, the Redbirds took advantage of a wild pitch by Hofstra starting pitcher Courtney Oliver to plate their first run of the game. Olson led off the inning with a single, and then advanced to third base on a single by Gorrell. Vicki Klopf then came in to run for Olson at third base, and with the Redbirds applying pressure at the corners, Oliver uncorked a wild pitch over the Pride catcher that allowed Klopf to score, as ISU went up, 1-0.
The Redbirds looked to be in position to score again in the bottom of the third inning after they put runners on first and second with one out. A strikeout by left fielder Jessie Buker, followed by a groundout to third base off the bat of Olson ended the threat, as the Redbirds continued to hold the 1-0 lead heading into the final three innings of the game.
One inning later, Prager helped Illinois State record its second run of the game, as her two-out, RBI double with the bases loaded plated Henderson, who reached base earlier in the inning on a single.
With a team-high 24 walks allowed entering the game, Smith struggled early on with her consistency in the circle, as she gave up two-straight walks in the top of the first inning to the Pride, after Hofstra's Casey Fee was already on base via a single, to load the bases with two outs. Smith's ability to blow a pitch by a hitter helped her out of the bases-loaded jam, as she induced a strikeout by Laura Valentino to end the inning. Smith allowed three Hofstra walks over the first three innings of the game, but gave up just one more walk over the final four innings.
Illinois State will conclude its time at the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic at 9 a.m. CST Sunday, as it takes on No. 23 North Carolina from the South Commons Stadium and Complex in Columbus, Ga. The Tar Heels will be ISU's second ranked opponent of the tournament, after the Redbirds lost to No. 4/6 Tennessee, 5-2, Saturday afternoon.
