Feb. 12, 2011
Box Score
ATHENS, Ga. -
Strong pitching performances from junior Megan Warner and freshman Taylor Baxter led the Illinois State (3-1) softball team to a pair of shutout victories over Lipscomb and Maryland on the second day of the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga.
In the opener, Warner, who struck out a career-high 15 batters in yesterday's 8-0 win over East Carolina, picked up right where she left off, earning her second shutout of the season in as many starts. The junior pitcher improved to 2-0 on the young season by tallying eight strikeouts and scattering four hits in the 2-0 victory.
Illinois State plated their only two runs of the contest off All-American pitcher Whitney Kiihnl in bottom of the first after taking advantage of a pair of Lipscomb errors. Senior Kara Nelson led off with a single to right center and was followed by sophomore Lauren Kellar, who reached on a fielding error by Kiihnl on a sacrifice bunt. Senior Abby Olson reached on a fielder's choice, but the Lady Bisons failed to record an out after third baseman Rena Cothron dropped the ball on the force out. Junior Caiti Kopp then delivered the big hit of the ballgame, driving in Nelson and Kellar on a double down the left field line.
"The first game today was a great pitcher's dual," head coach Melinda Fischer said. "Caiti came up big for us in the first inner, we were able to score those two runs, and we were able to hold the lead throughout. Megan threw a great game and so did [Kiihnl]. Kiihnl is a tremendous changeup pitcher. She had us on our heels and had us guessing a little bit, but I thought Megan really continued from where she left off yesterday."
Lipscomb would threaten in the top of the sixth, using a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt and ground ball to advance a runner to third, but Warner would keep the Lady Bisons off the scoreboard, recording her seventh strikeout of the game to end the inning.
In the nightcap, Baxter made her first career start a memorable one and the Redbirds needed only three hits to earn a 5-0 win over the Terrapins.
For the third time in their first four games, the Redbirds plated a run in their first at bat. Nelson drew a leadoff walk to get the inning started, advanced to second on an error and later came around to score on a wild pitch from Maryland starter Kerry Hickey. ISU had an opportunity to tack on some insurance runs, but Hickey stranded two Illinois State baserunners after recording a pair of strikeouts and getting sophomore Jhavon Hamilton to ground out to end the inning.
The Redbirds would blow open the game in the bottom of the third, hanging four more runs on the scoreboard and taking a 5-0 lead after a two-out, three-run home run from redshirt freshman Sara Bradley. The long ball was the second in the last three games for Bradley as she launched a solo home run against Georgia in Friday night's contest.
"Our goal is to have more quality at bats than not, and that is something that we didn't do in the two games yesterday," Fischer added. "We scored a lot of runs in the first game yesterday and not so many in the second. We talked about having more timely hits and I certainly thought Caiti and Sara took advantage of those timely hits today."
The Terrapins had opportunities to cut into the ISU lead in fourth and the sixth, but a combination of strong pitching and superb defense held Maryland off the board. Baxter and the Redbird defense stranded 11 UMD baserunners and spoiled a one-out, bases loaded situation for Maryland in the top of the fourth.
"I thought Taylor struggled a little bit indoors on the different surface inside, but I thought she did a tremendous job of adjusting to the outside situation," Fischer said. "She got herself into a couple of situations and the defense made some great plays behind her. She has done a great job of controlling her pitches at the right time."
Baxter gave up seven hits and issued four walks, but did not give up anymore more than a single in earning her first career victory. The Hannibal, Mo., native also notched a pair of strikeouts in the win.
ISU will wrap up the Red and Black Showcase Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. CST with a game against Iowa.
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