NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Indiana State softball team grabbed two wins on Sunday to cap the Tennessee State Tiger Classic and improve to 5-3 on the season. The Sycamores, who finished a perfect 4-0 on the weekend, were first victorious over Valparaiso, 13-5 in five innings, then again over Tennessee State in a close 1-0 game. Lindsey Beisser and Bailey Wittenauer each tallied three hits, including a pair of doubles from Wittenauer, who also had three RBI. Pitchers Meagan McCurdy and Kristen Felker both earned a win on the day.
"It was great weekend, not only because we won four games, but because it was a true team effort," Head Coach Brenda Coldren said. "We made good progress this weekend and it was nice for our young players to get some confidence in tough situations. Meagan (McCurdy) was outstanding starting games and in relief. She is doing a great job leading the team as a senior."
GAME 1 - Indiana State 13, Valparaiso 5
Indiana State earned its second straight win over Valparaiso this weekend, 13-5 in five innings, in Sunday's opener. ISU scored at least two runs in every frame, including five in the bottom of the third alone, and capitalized on nine errors by Valpo.
In the first, Wittenauer sent a two-RBI single to right, scoring Stephanie Robinson and Alyssa Doyle. Second-inning action saw Doyle plate Kellie Szablewski on a single up the middle, then score on Robinson's groundout, giving ISU a 4-0 lead.
The Sycamores pounced for a huge third inning, scoring five runs on four hits. Beisser doubled to left center, moving Stephanie Jonson to third. As Szablewski fouled out, Beisser tagged and scored. Alex Lucas then reached on an error to tack on a run by Jonson, and also came across herself on Robinson's RBI single to left center. Doyle came around on a single by MacKenzie Connelly, and Robinson, who stole second, advanced to third and came in on an error to make it 9-0.
The Crusaders struck back for four runs in the top of the fourth and another tally in the fifth, but a pair of two-run innings from the Sycamores shut down the hope of a Valpo comeback. Lucas' two-run single up the middle kept ISU out front 11-4, and the win was nailed down as Connelly and Kacy Kestner both scored to give Indiana State an eight-run victory.
Kristen Felker (2-1) earned the win for ISU, scattering five hits over 3.1 innings and striking out four. Valpo's Shaleigh Jansen took the loss, dropping to 1-2 on the year.
GAME 2 - Indiana State 1, Tennessee State 0
Indiana State tacked on another win in the tournament finale, a 1-0 triumph over host Tennessee State. Meagan McCurdy made her fourth appearance of the weekend with a complete-game effort, improving to 3-1 on the year. She struck out a season-high nine batters and walked just one, and now has a 0.44 earned-run average for the 2010. TSU's Caitlin Eaton (0-2) was tagged with the loss.
Despite six ISU hits over the first four innings, both teams were held scoreless until the fifth. Bailey Wittenauer put the Sycamores on the board with a double to right that scored Halee Myers, who walked to lead off the inning. The run would prove to be the game-winner, as the Sycamores were kept off base for the remainder of the game.
The Indiana State defensive and pitching efforts contained the Tigers to just five hits on the day - including only extra-base hit on a double that came in the first inning.
Indiana State returns to action on Sunday, March 7 at the Rebel Games in Orlando, Fla. The Sycamores are slated for 10 games over six days, opening with Youngstown State at 9 a.m. and 2009 NCAA Tournament qualifier Sacred Heart at 1 p.m.
