Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

WICHITA, Kan.—Senior Megan Stone broke the single season home run record and the Sycamores recorded nine hits over the last three innings to earn their first win in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament over Southern Illinois 5-3.

The Salukis jumped out to an early lead as they hit a two run home run in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Indiana State answered in the top of the second when sophomore Brooke Riemenschneider drew a leadoff walk before junior Kelsey Montgomery laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Riemenschneider to second. Junior Mallory Schneid then hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, who tried to get the out at third but threw it away to score Riemenschneider and cut the SIU lead to 2-1.

In the bottom of the third, a Saluki leadoff double came around to score to extend their lead to 3-1 over the Sycamores.

The Sycamores took over the remainder of the game as Stone led off the top of the fourth with her school record breaking 12th home run of the season to right field. After a groundout, Montgomery reached on a fielding error and after a strikeout, freshman Abby Klopp singled to put runners on the corners. Junior Alexa Cavin and Mary Turitto both then drew waslks to walk in a run and tie the game 3-3.

In the top of the fifth, senior Aubre Carpenter led off the inning with a double before Stone hit an RBI single up the middle to give the Sycamores a 4-3 lead, their first of the game.

The Sycamores thene extended their lead in the top of the sixth when Cavin singled and came around to scored on a fielders choice by Carpenter. ISU went on to win 5-3.

The next game of the day against Wichita State will begin at 3:34 p.m. EST.