April 20, 2008
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
In a classic pitcher's duel, a fourth-inning RBI sacrifice fly to left field by junior Jessie Buker was the difference, lifting the Illinois State softball team (20-17, 10-5 MVC) to a 1-0 win over Wichita State (28-21, 10-10 MVC) in the rubber match of a three-game series at the Redbird Softball Complex Sunday afternoon. Junior pitcher Amber Smith's shut out was her second win of the series, and extended her streak to 10-consecutive starts without a loss in the circle.
"Today was an exciting game," said head coach Melinda Fischer. "We played with a lead and held it, and I was really proud of our team for that, because we have struggled holding leads all season.
"I thought Amber (Smith) pitched a great game once she settled down. It's a process, and as a new pitcher in our program, you have to learn how to pitch in every type of situation. Offensively, I thought we had good discipline in the middle innings."
Illinois State played solid defense behind Smith's hurling, and fought off an important surge in just the top of the first inning. After Katie McGeeney led off the frame with a single up the middle, she was advanced to second base on a sacrifice groundout by Kara L'Hullier. Following a single by Heather Gerritse, McGeeney attempted to score from second, but was picked off at the plate on a strong throw from Buker in left field, ending the Shockers' threat.
Wichita State hurler Ashly Bright was solid in the circle in the early going, retiring the Redbirds' first nine batters in order, including six-consecutive strikeouts to begin the game. But in the bottom of the fourth inning, Kara Nelson started the inning with an infield single, and eventually advanced to second base following a passed ball. Smith's sacrifice fly to center field advanced Nelson to third base, and Buker officially manufactured the game's lone run with a sacrifice fly to left field in the ensuing at-bat.
"When Kara (Nelson) beat out that ball in the infield, and Amber (Smith) moved her over courtesy of a passed ball, it was huge," said Fischer. "Then, Jessie (Buker) really got herself settled to be able to drive that run in. She had two previous strikes against her where she wasn't even close to the ball, but I thought she really centered and did what she was asked to do."
The Shockers threatened in the top half of the fifth, putting runners at first and second base with two outs. After Smith retired WSU's Lauren Coleman and Jamie Stanclift, Kiersten Dixon singled to center field, and stole second base to get into scoring position. McGeeney followed with a walk, and in the next at-bat, Dixon attempted to steal third, but was thrown out on a play that saw four Redbird infielders assist in the putout and end the inning.
Smith allowed three base runners on two walks in the decisive top of the seventh inning, but secured two groundballs in the final two at-bats to secure the shutout. Britnee Barnett started the inning by lining out to Henderson at first base, followed by a pinch hit walk by Jessica Spencer. Another pinch hitter, Tiffany Dahlquist, walked in the ensuing at-bat, giving the Shockers runners at both first and second base with just one out.
But Stanclift followed with a ground ball to second base, and Coleman was thrown out at second base in the fielder's choice. Smith forced Dixon into a third base groundout to end the inning.
ISU returns to the diamond Monday when the Redbirds host Creighton in a make-up doubleheader.
