March 14, 2010
Final Stats
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
Abby Olson went 2-for-2 at the plate, including a homer over the left field fence, but Olson's offensive effort was not enough as the Illinois State softball team fell to No. 3 ranked Missouri, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at the Children's Hospital Invitational at University Field in Columbia, Mo. Missouri's Chelsea Thomas struck out 14 Redbirds setting a new career best in the game.
With two outs in the top of the first, Olson recorded her first hit of the game with a single up the middle. Elizabeth Kay was walked to put two Redbirds (10-9) on base, but ISU would not be able to push a run across.
In the second inning for Missouri (15-2), Catherine Lee and Ashley Fleming singled through the left side, but Michaele Vock lined out to Kara Nelson at second, who quickly stepped on second to get Lee out in the double play. Fleming was caught stealing second when Kay connected with Niki Stansell for the third out of the inning.
Illinois State got on the board in the top of the fourth when Olson hit a deep shot over the left field wall giving ISU a one-run lead. The home run was the seventh on the season for the junior third baseman.
However, Missouri would answer back quickly with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jenna Marston started the Tiger rally with a double that landed in the left center field gap. Marla Schweisberger grounded out to the right side of the field, but not before advancing Marston to third, who was driven in with a sacrifice fly to deep center field by Nicole Hudson. With two outs, Lee hit a home run over the left field wall to give Mizzou a one-run lead.
Missouri pushed across another run in the bottom of the sixth increasing its lead to two runs. Abby Vock was walked to start the inning. Jordan Birch came in to relieve Megan Warner, who tallied three strikeouts on the day through five innings. Rhea Taylor pinch ran for Vock and quickly stole second and scored on a single to right field by Kathryn Poet.
Illinois State will return to the Land of Lincoln to take on in-state rival Illinois Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Ill.
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