MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Indiana State softball team (0-2) opened the 2010 season with a pair of tough losses at the Memphis Tournament on Friday, falling 1-0 to Appalachian State and 8-3 to McNeese State. Freshman infielder MacKenzie Connelly made her collegiate debut with a 4-for-6 offensive performance, and sophomore outfielder Alyssa Doyle went 2-for-4 with a double.
Game 1 - Appalachian State 1, Indiana State 0
ISU began with a tough 1-0 loss to Appalachian State early Friday morning at Memphis' Tiger Softball Complex. Connelly keyed the Sycamores with a 3-for-3 effort, and sophomore designated hitter Alyssa Marcum registered ISU's other hit, going 1-for-3.
ASU's Caitlin Wainright earned the win with a complete game shutout, while senior Meagan McCurdy (0-1) pitched six innngs and struck out eight with two walks.
Connelly made the Sycamores' first notch on the scoreboard with a single to right in the second inning. In the third, sophomore Stephanie Robinson reached on an error and Doyle was hit by a pitch to put two runners on for catcher Alex Lucas. The freshman then got on on a fielder's choice, and an Alyssa Marcum single moved her to third. ISU was unable to capitalize, however, as Doyle was tagged out at home to end the inning.
Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when Appalachian State's Katie Boyd broke through for a run on an Allie Cashion double. The Sycamores responded in the bottom of the seventh with Connelly's third hit of the game, but it was not enough, as ASU left with a 1-0 win.
Game 2 - McNeese State 8, Indiana State 3
Indiana State exploded for eight hits in the second game with McNeese State, but it was not enough in an 8-3 defeat. Lucas, the Sycamores' designated hitter, led the way with a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI, and Doyle and Robinson both batted 2-for-4 as well.
Freshman Sara Evans (0-1) took the loss for ISU, going one inning in her first career start. Freshman Kristen Felker also threw 3.2 innings of relief, and sophomore Lindsey Beisser had 2.1 innings of action, surrendering two hits, no runs and striking out three.
After McNeese State opened the game with a five-run first inning, ISU struck back on a single from Robinson. Doyle then sacrificed her to second, and a hit through the right side by Lucas brought Robinson around.
The Cowgirls then spotted up solo runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Facing an 8-1 battle going into the bottom of the seventh, the Sycamores started a rally as freshman third baseman Kellie Szablewski reached on an error, and Robinson singled again. A one-out Lucas double to left brought both runners across to make it 8-3, but ISU's run was halted on a double play to end the game.
Indiana State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 for the final day of the Memphis Tournament in Memphis, Tenn. The Sycamores first face SEMO at 12:15 p.m. (ET) and host school Memphis at 4:45 p.m.
