LAS CRUCES, NM ? It took two solid innings for the Indiana State softball team to defeat Utah Valley State in their final game of the New Mexico State Tournament. The Sycamores scored five runs in the second inning and added on three more in the third to defeat the Wolverines 8-0 in six innings. They head back to Terre Haute with a 2-3 record after a positive showing in their first tournament of the season.
“I thought we did a nice job from beginning to end,” commented head coach Brenda Coldren. “We saw a lot of different people in different positions and this tournament was a good way to start the year.”
Senior Katie Iocoangeli and junior Meredith Simpson both hit singles in the top of the second to begin the Sycamores' five-run inning. With runners on first and second, the Wolverines pitching staff walked two batters with one crossing the plate to give the Sycamores the 1-0 lead. The bases were loaded as freshman Leslie Fakes stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam to center field, increasing the team's lead 5-0. Fakes finished her first collegiate tournament with three runs, four hits (including two doubles and a homerun), and four RBI.
The Sycamores scored three more runs in the third inning after senior Kelsey Anderson hit a homerun of her own with two runners on base. The Wolverines couldn't muster a run due to a stingy Sycamore defense that did not have a single error the whole game. Meagan McCurdy was in the circle for Indiana State, giving up only three hits in five innings while striking out seven.
“I think we finished the tournament on a strong note and we made some good progress,” concluded Coldren.
Indiana State will travel next weekend to Tennessee for a five-game slate at the UT-Martin Tournament. The Sycamores will play three games on Saturday, March 1st and two more on Sunday. Game times can be found on the softball team home page.
