ST. LOUIS – Illinois State's Morgan Day has been awarded Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week laurels after a dominating performance in the circle this past weekend, which included a complete-game shutout of No. 16/15 Indiana.
Day went 2-1 at LSU's Purple & Gold Challenge on the weekend, opening the five-game set with her first complete game shutout of the season in a 6-0 victory over Stephen F. Austin. She stepped into the circle again on Saturday afternoon and went the distance in Illinois State's upset of nationally-ranked Indiana, tossing a season-high seven strikeouts to hand the Hoosiers just their second loss of the season. Additionally, ISU's win over Indiana marked the fourth victory over a ranked opponent by a Valley team this season and the first shutout of a top 25 team.
Day returned to the circle on Sunday to face Indiana once again, as Illinois State held the Hoosiers to their second-fewest runs in a shutout this season behind the right-hander's six strikeout performance. Finishing the weekend with an impressive 0.66 ERA, Day lowered her season ERA by 2.25, while holding her opponents to a .127 batting average at the tournament. She also recorded 18 strikeouts on the weekend – half of her season total of 36.
"It was good to see that all of Morgan's time, energy and hard work finally came together," head coach Melinda Fischer said. "She had great location, great movement and she was able to mix her pitches very well. To earn a win over a top 25 team is great, but a shutout is even better. Coming back the second day, she looked like was still in control for most of the game. I just feel like she gave us a lot of really good innings this weekend."
ON DECK
The Redbirds will head to the Sunshine State for the third and final time this season to compete in the FAU/FIU Parent's Weekend Tournament next weekend.
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