Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

After a weekend full of offense, the Indiana State softball team struggled to produce runs as they dropped both games of a double header on the road to Illinois State on Wednesday 9-0 and 5-1.

Game One

The Sycamore offense could never get going in game one as they dropped the first game of the double header by a final score of 9-0.

After a deep fly out by junior Stephanie Robinson to start the game, freshman Alex Baumgart reached base on a softly hit infield single. However, the Sycamore offense could not keep the run going.

The Redbird offense then came to life in its first at bats as they scored five runs in the first inning off two home runs and a throwing error on junior third baseman Alyssa Marcum. The Redbirds then added to their lead in both the third and the fourth innings as they hit a total of four home runs in the game. 

In the top of the fifth inning the Sycamores loaded the bases after sophomore right fielder Kim Pierce walked before senior left fielder Stephanie Jonson singled back up the middle. Two batters later Robinson was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two out with the Sycamores down 9-0. Baumgart then scalded a ball to the Illinois State third baseman who bobbled but recovered to make the catch and end the game.

Game Two

Both teams struggled to get anything going in the second game as neither team had a baserunner until the top of the third inning when senior Stephanie Jonson singled up the middle and later stole second. However, Jonson could advance no further and the score remained tied at zero. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning the Redbirds offense came back to life as they scored four runs off of three home runs to take a 4-0 lead over the Sycamores.

In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore right fielder Kim Pierce cut the Sycamore deficit to three as she crushed a solo home run over the right field wall to make it 4-1. 

The Redbirds extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with their eighth home run of the day, a solo shot to left field to make it 5-1. The Sycamores couldn't respond and fell to the Redbirds by a final score of 5-1. 

With the losses the Sycamores fall to 14-25 and 3-13 in Missouri Valley Conference Play.

The Sycamores will return to action Friday when they travel to Peoria, Ill. to face the Braves of Bradley for a three-game series. The series will start with a double header on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. before wrapping up the series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. start.