March 2, 2014
Box Score
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - For the fourth time this weekend, the Illinois State softball team (6-13) battled a ranked foe to within two runs, as the Redbirds concluded their stay at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with a 2-0 loss to No. 4/6 Oregon (18-2), Sunday morning. ISU went 1-4 at the tournament, with all of the losses coming against top 25 teams and by a total of six runs.
The stellar pitching of Oregon's Cheridan Hawkins limited the ISU offense to just two hits, a bunt single apiece for Nichelle Harrison and Kolby Hoffman. Hawkins struck out 16 Redbirds in her complete game effort, while walking just one.
The duo of Taylor Baxter and Regan Romshek combined to limit the potent UO offense to just two runs on six hits. Baxter (LP, 1-7) threw the first 3.2 innings and surrendered both Oregon runs, before Romshek finished the game with 2.1 scoreless frames.
Neither Hawkins (WP, 10-1) or Baxter allowed a base runner in the first two innings, as Kara Repp's walk in the top of the third was the first of the game. One batter later, Repp moved into scoring position when Laura Canopy was hit by a pitch, but Romshek struck out to end the threat.
After leaving runners on second and third in the third inning, the Ducks finally broke through against Baxter with the game's only two runs in the fourth. A double, single, and stolen base put runners on second and third with nobody out, before Kaille Cuico notched a RBI groundout to second that made it 1-0 UO. With two outs two batters later, Karine Shaver singled to right field, bringing home another run and making it 2-0 Oregon.
After a scoreless fifth, Harrison moved into scoring position with nobody out on a bunt single and stolen base. She was stranded there, however, as was Hoffman in the seventh to end the game.
ISU will next be in action at the Louisville Red and Black Classic, Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9. The Redbirds will then play a single game against Louisville, Tuesday, March 11, before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play the following weekend at home against Drake.
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