April 22, 2009
Box Score
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -
A leadoff solo home run by shortstop Niki Stansell in the top of the seventh inning ended a no-hit bid by the Sycamores' Darcy Wood, but was not enough to propel the Redbirds to a win, as the Illinois State softball team (20-22, 8-9 MVC) suffered a 4-1 loss to Indiana State (14-22, 6-11 MVC) in Missouri Valley Conference action Wednesday afternoon at Price Field in Terre Haute, Ind. Wood's one-hitter marked the fewest hits Illinois State has produced in a game this season, and followed two-straight 10-plus-hit games by the Redbirds.
The 4-1 loss marked just the second by the Redbirds to the Sycamores in the last 28 games of the series.
Amber Smith (7-11) suffered her 11th loss of the season for Illinois State after she allowed four runs (all earned) in just 2 1/3 innings pitched.
Wood improved to 8-12 in the circle for Indiana State after she threw the complete-game one-hitter and walked just three batters. She held a no-hitter through six full innings before allowing the leadoff home run to Stansell in the top of the seventh inning.
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News: Illinois State to Honor Kneer & Kennedy Saturday (April 25)
Indiana State used timely hits in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. After leadoff batter Meredith Simpson singled through the right side and then advanced to third base on a ground out and a wild pitch, a line-drive sac fly into deep right field off the bat of Katie Armour drove in Simpson.
The Sycamores used sharp defense and strong pitching throughout the early innings of the game to keep Illinois State off the scoreboard. A botched stolen-base attempt in the top of the second inning ended a Redbird scoring threat, while Darcy Wood struck out five Illinois State batters through the first three innings.
The Redbirds again found themselves in trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning after the Sycamores loaded the bases with just one out. Armour again came through for Indiana State, as her two-run single into right field scored two more Sycamore runners and gave Indiana State a 3-0 lead. A five-pitch, bases-loaded walk by Smith walked in another run and forced the Redbird starting pitcher out of the game in favor of Megan Warner.
Illinois State's offense was stymied throughout the game by Wood's dominant pitching. Aside from Stansell's solo home run in the top of the seventh inning, which was her sixth of the season, three walks in the game marked the only other times Illinois State placed runners on base.
Illinois State will stay in Missouri Valley Conference action this weekend when it plays host to Northern Iowa Saturday and Sunday at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium.
Saturday's noon doubleheader will feature a pregame ceremony to honor Marian Kneer, who donated $250,000 to the Illinois State Athletics Department in July 2008, and for whom the Redbirds' softball stadium is now named after. In between games of Saturday's doubleheader, former Illinois State pitching coach Bill Kennedy will be honored for his 24 years of service to the Redbird softball program.
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