March 10, 2014
Box Score |
Fischer Postgame Interview 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a season of near-misses against quality opponents, the Illinois State softball team finally closed out a victory over an impressive foe. The Redbirds (8-14) utilized a three-run fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie, before shutting down Louisville (12-7) and earning the 5-2 road win, Monday afternoon at Ulmer Stadium.
Kara Repp went 2-for-3 with a RBI, increasing her average at the Red and Black Classic to .545 (6-for-11). Jordan de los Reyes increased her team-leading RBI total to 18 with two, while Laura Canopy plated a run as well. Kelsey Turczyn scored a career-high two runs for the Redbirds, who ended the Cardinals' four-game winning streak.
Regan Romshek (WP, 7-6) went the distance in the circle for ISU, and has registered complete games in each of her last eight starts. The sophomore allowed just two runs and scattered eight hits, while striking out two and walking one.
The Redbirds scored the game's first two runs in the top of the second inning against UL starter Maryssa Becker (ND). Kolby Hoffman legged out an infield single with one out, before moving into scoring position with two outs on a stolen base. Turczyn hit a deep fly ball to center field that was dropped by center fielder Kelsi Jones, which allowed Hoffman to score and Turczyn to reach third. Repp followed with a single to left that brought home Turczyn and made it a 2-0 ISU advantage.
Louisville tied the game against Romshek with two runs in the bottom of the third. Katie Keller singled with one out, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a double down the line by Whitey Arion. Two batters later, Becker singled up the middle to plate Arion and even the game at 2-2.
After giving up the two runs, Becker cruised through the next two innings, retiring seven-straight Redbirds. The Cardinals took her out in favor of Rachel LeCoq (LP, 5-4), however, who surrendered three runs in one third of an inning Turczyn was hit by a pitch, Repp singled and Kaitlyn Knary walked to load the bases for Canopy. Canopy was hit by a pitch to bring home Turczyn and give the Redbirds a 3-2 lead. Two batters later, de los Reyes' single to left plated Knary and Canopy to make it 5-2 ISU.
De los Reyes' hit chased LeCoq, as Louisville reentered Becker. Becker struck out the final two batters of the inning, and did not allow any other Redbirds to reach the rest of the game. Romshek countered by keeping the Cardinals' scoreless over the final three innings to secure the win.
The Redbirds and Cardinals will square off again, Tuesday at 12 p.m., CST.
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