May 7, 2011
Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. -
The Illinois State softball team split a doubleheader with Creighton Saturday afternoon in Omaha, Neb., taking game two, 4-2, after dropping the opener, 1-0. The Redbirds (34-16, 20-5 MVC) and Bluejays (24-26, 12-11 MVC) will wrap up the Missouri Valley Conference regular season tomorrow with the rubber match slated for 12 p.m.
Sophomore Jhavon Hamilton led the ISU offense, finishing 4-for-6 with three RBI, including a key three-run, sixth-inning homer in the nightcap. Senior Kara Nelson and sophomore Lauren Kellar also recorded multiple hits for Illinois State and senior Abby Olson drove in the Redbirds' only other run with a solo blast, her 14th homer of the season.
Junior Jordan Birch factored in both decision for Illinois State, taking the loss in game one, before earning the win in relief in game two. Birch allowed just one run on five hits and struck out six in the opener, but was outdueled by Bluejay starter Becca Changstrom, who tossed a complete game shutout and struck out 12 Redbird hitters. In game two, Birch came out of the bullpen in relief of ISU starter Megan Warner, tossing the final 2.2 innings to earn the victory. The Monroe, Wash., native struck out six and allowed only two hits in her relief appearance.
In game one, Creighton's Amy Baker belted a solo homer to deep center in the bottom of the fourth for the only run of the contest. The Redbirds stranded seven base runners in the ballgame and left the bases loaded in the top of the first after Changstrom issued three walks in the inning, but responded by striking out the side.
Hamilton appeared to have tied the game in the top of the seventh, driving a ball deep to right field, but Creighton's Emily Perry reached over the fence and made the catch to preserve the Bluejays'1-0 lead. Changstrom then retired Nelson to end the game and snap Nelson's 25-game hitting streak.
Creighton once again took an early lead in game two, getting a solo home run from Baker in the bottom of the first, her second long ball of the afternoon. After the Redbirds loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fourth, Changstrom came out of the bullpen in relief of CU starter Brittany Telecky. Changstrom notched back-to-back strikeouts and got senior Jessica Roche to ground out to end the inning without allowing a run. Changstrom helped her own cause in the fifth, driving a one-out single back up the middle, giving Creighton a 2-0 lead after five.
Illinois State finally broke through in the sixth inning, plating three runs on Hamilton's three-run homer to right center. Junior Caiti Kopp drew a one out walk and later advanced to third when Roche reached on a two-out error. Hamilton followed by clearing the bases and giving ISU its first lead of the day at 3-2.
Olson pushed the Redbird advantage to 4-2 with a solo homer in the fop of the sixth and sealed the victory by snagging a line drive for the final out of the contest.
ISU remains at the top of the MVC standings after Drake and Southern Illinois split a doubleheader in Carbondale, Ill. The Redbirds will capture their first Valley regular-season championship since 2006 with a win over Creighton or a Saluki win over the Bulldogs Sunday.
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