In the final weekend of the regular season, the Indiana State softball team (16-31, 5-19 MVC) split games of a double header on the road with the Panthers of Northern Iowa (30-25, 14-12 MVC), falling 8-0, 1-0.
Game One
In game one of the double header with the Panthers of Northern Iowa, the Sycamore offense could never get going as they fell by a final score of 8-0 getting just two hits in the contest.
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead grabbing two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead over the Sycamores.
The Sycamores tried to respond in the top of the third inning when they got the bases loaded with two outs after freshman short stop Shelby Wilson singled through the right side before sophomore right fielder Kim Pierce singled to left field to advance Wilson to second. Freshman center fielder Alex Baumgart then walked to load the bases but the Sycamores couldn't drive in any runs.
The Panthers went on to add to their lead scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth and two in the bottom of the fifth to end the game due to the eight-run rule by a final score of 8-0.
Game Two
In game two of the double header the Sycamores fell by a final score of 1-0 in a pitchers duel where both teams totaled a combined eight hits in the game.
The Panthers once again jumped out to an early lead when they scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead over the Sycamores.
The Sycamores had a chance to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning when they loaded the bases after junior second baseman Stephanie Robinson singled to right field before junior first baseman Bailey Wittenauer advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt. Junior third baseman Alyssa Marcum kept the inning going as she reached on a fielders choice to advance Robinson to third before senior Stephanie Robinson walked to load the bases before the Panthers ended the inning to hold the Sycamores scoreless again.
The Panthers then locked down the rest of the game to sweep the Sycamores in both games of the double header.
The Sycamores will wrap up their regular season tomorrow when they play the finale of the three-game series set to begin at 1 p.m. in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
