April 10, 2010
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State softball team continued its winning-streak as it topped Missouri Valley Conference rival Evansville in a doubleheader sweep at the Marian Kneer Softball Stadium to remain perfect in conference play. The Redbirds shutout the Purple Aces in both games Saturday. In the first game, ISU (21-10, 9-0 MVC) defeated Evansville (11-20, 5-8 MVC), 10-0, in five innings, while beating the Purple Aces, 6-0, in the second game.
Michelle Henderson sent two home runs out of the park and tallied one double, while driving in four runs in Saturday's doubleheader. Jhavon Hamilton also hit a homer and a double and tallied five RBI.
In the first game, Megan Warner started in the circle and allowed four hits in her appearance. Warner improved her record to 9-4. Jordan Birch started the second game for the Redbird battery and struck out 10 Evansville batters. Birch recorded the win and continued to improve her record, 10-5.
Game One Recap: Illinois State 10, Evansville 0
In the first game, ISU pushed runs across in every inning, which started when Kara Nelson walked and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hamilton. Elizabeth Kay doubled down the left field line and drove in Nelson. Henderson stepped into the batter's box and hit a deep two-run shot over the center field wall to give ISU a three-run lead.
In the second, Evansville's Maggie Little struggled in the circle as she hit Shelby Music and walked Lauren Kellar and Nelson to load the bases for Illinois State. Hamilton was able to put the ball in play and hit a double to left center field and drove in Music and Kellar to stretch ISU's lead by five runs.
Four Redbirds scored in the third inning as the Purple Ace pitching staff continued to struggle. Niki Stansell singled through the left side and moved to third after Beth Current and Music were walked. Kellar singled and drove in Stansell followed by a sacrifice fly from Nelson that scored Current. Abby Olson singled to left field and drove in two more Redbird runs. ISU ended the inning with four runs on three hits.
The final Redbird run came in the fourth when Stansell scored on a grounder by Music.
Game Two Recap: Illinois State 6, Evansville 0
The Redbirds got on the board in the third when Hamilton singled to left field and drove in Brianna Lizen and Nelson, who reached base after hitting a double to right field.
In the fourth, Henderson hit a stand-up double and later scored on a single by Lizen.
Hamilton crushed a solo shot over the right field fence in the bottom half of the fifth. Olson continued the Redbirds' powerful offensive performance with a double and scored on a two-run homer by Henderson. The home run marked the 10th of the season for Henderson. ISU scored three runs on three hits.
Illinois State will return to the field Sunday for the series finale against Evansville. The game is scheduled to begin at noon.
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