Hoosiers Drop 6-1 Decision to Illinois State

Saturday, March 10

Norman, Okla.

1:00 PM ET

Indiana University

4-17

Illinois State

9-14

Indiana

Illinois State

3/10/2018 5:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NORMAN, Okla. – A 4-0 second-inning deficit proved to be too much as Indiana Softball fell to Illinois State on day two of the Oklahoma Tournament on Saturday, 6-1.

The Hoosiers had chances early, putting a pair of runners on in each of the first two innings, including two in scoring position on a single from junior Sarah Galovich and fielder's choice in the second. However, both times IU left the runners stranded, including a tough break as sophomore Gabbi Jenkins was called out for making contact outside of the box to end the second.

Illinois State strung together four doubles in the bottom of the second to take a 4-0 lead. After back-to-back doubles by Andrea Coursey and Caitlyn Daly plated the first run, a walk to Brittni LaFountaine put two on. Shannon Felde then doubled to plate Daly before a sacrifice fly from Alex Caliva made it 3-0. The final Redbird run of the frame came on a double from Allison Spence to center.

"We didn't get what we needed in the circle to avoid the big inning, so to make up for that we needed better defense and offensive production," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "We had a few unlucky breaks – like Jenkins being called out of the box – and we had some quality at bats that we just weren't able to finish. I felt we didn't play with the same energy and confidence that we did yesterday. Tomorrow, I'd like to see us come out with that consistency and discipline to be more competitive."

In for relief, senior Emily Kirk saw her longest outing of the season, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing a pair of earned runs with two strikeouts.

"It was great to see Kirk settle in but we still didn't make enough plays behind her," said Stanton.

After a quiet third and fourth frame from both teams, the Redbirds loaded the bases with two away in the fifth on an error and a pair of singles. However, a lineout to senior Taylor Uden left them loaded and kept the deficit at 4-0.

Senior Rebecca Blitz drew a walk to lead off the sixth, becoming the first Hoosier baserunner since the second inning. She stole second but was left stranded.

Illinois State added a pair of runs in the sixth as the Redbirds cashed in on four straight two-out singles, capped by RBI knocks from Coursey and Daly.

Indiana saw life again in the seventh, thanks to a pair of pinch hitters. After senior Aimilia McDonough singled to center with one out, sophomore Katie Lacefield put two on via a single up the middle. Jenkins then brought in McDonough on her hit up the middle. However, the rally was halted there after a groundout.

The Hoosiers close out play in the Oklahoma Tournament on Sunday as they face No. 18 South Carolina at Noon ET.