Sept. 18, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Despite a stellar 2 2/3 innings of relief pitching from freshman Megan Warner, the Illinois State softball team was upset by Heartland Community College, 7-4, Wednesday night in an exhibition game at the Marian Kneer Softball Stadium. The loss was the first for the Redbirds in their fall exhibition season.
Senior pitcher Amber Smith suffered the loss for ISU after she pitched two full innings and allowed five earned runs. Smith was relieved by sophomore Chrissy Burton, who gave up two earned runs over two innings and also allowed three of Smith's five runs to score.
Warner was making her first-ever appearance in the circle for the Redbirds. The Milan, Ill., native held the Hakws hitless and struck out five with no walks in 2 2/3 innings of relief work.
Heartland's Hannah Dow earned the win after she pitched three full innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits.
Illinois State was led at the plate by left fielder Jessie Buker's 2-for-2 batting performance, which included two runs scored and two walks. Also recording multiple hits in the game for ISU was catcher Casey Gorrell, who went 2-2 with an RBI, and junior transfer center fielder Beth Current, who picked up a pair of hits in four at-bats in her first-career action for the Redbirds.
The turning point of the game came in the top of the third inning when the Hawks led off the frame with a walk and four-straight singles. Dow provided the offensive punch for Heartland, as her double into right-center field cleared the bases and put the Hawks up, 5-1.
"We started the game strong, both offensively and in the circle," said Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer. "After the second inning, however, we struggled with our pitching, which led to Heartland's big rally.
"I thought Megan (Warner) really pitched well in her first outing for us. She got out there, stayed within her abilities in the circle and had decent command of her pitches."
Illinois State will resume its fall exhibition schedule Saturday when it competes in the first day of the inaugural State Farm Illinois Collegiate Softball Championship at Champion Fields in Normal, Ill. The Redbirds are slated to play Northern Illinois at noon Saturday, followed by a 5 p.m. game against Illinois-Chicago.
