Sept. 23, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Box Score 
-- Homeruns by Abby Olson and Emma Clark led the Illinois State softball team to a 12-0 shutout victory over the 2009 NJCAA Division II National Champions Heartland Community College Wednesday at Marian Kneer Stadium.
Both Olson and Clark recorded a homerun and a double to drive in eight of the Redbirds' 12 runs.
Olson started the Redbird offense in the first inning with a three-run shot to center field. Earlier, Kara Nelson stole two bases to get the Redbirds in scoring position.
The Redbirds scored again in the fourth inning, bringing in one run on no hits after Heartland walked two and committed an error.
Clark's two-run homerun came in the fifth inning, extending the Redbird lead to 6-0.
The Redbirds ensured the win in the sixth inning, scoring six runs on seven hits including a two-run double by Olson, a run-run double by Clark and one run scored on a wild pitch by Heartland.
"I thought we started off strong in that first inning," said head coach Melinda Fischer. "I think Abby's homerun gave the team a lot of confidence both offensively and defensively. We had a lot of quality at -bats. We had some that went right to Heartland, but they were still crisp at-bats, which was good to see. I thought everyone who came into the game did what we needed them to do. Both Megan and Jordan pitched a great ball game."
Megan Warner pitched five innings for the Redbirds only giving up one hit, while Jordan Birch came into the circle for the last two innings.
The Redbirds will continue their fall season at the State Farm Illinois Collegiate Softball Championship at Champion Fields in Normal, Ill., Oct. 3-4.
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