Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

CHICAGO—Behind a strong effort in the cirlce from sophomore Abby Klopp, the Indiana State Softball team rallied to force extra innings in game one and led late in game two before falling to IUPUI and UIC on the second day of the Total Control Sports Invitational.

IUPUI Game

After entering the seventh inning trailing by two runs, the Sycamores rallied to force extra innings before eventually falling to the Jaguars of IUPUI 6-5 in 11 innings.

Junior Kassie Brown reached on a throwing error on a bunt, to lead off the bottom of the first inning and two batters later, junior Erika Crissman hit an RBI triple off the wall to put the Sycamores on the board. Three batters later, Riemenschneider hit an RBI groundout to score Crissman and make it 2-0 Sycamores.

The Jaguar offense roared to life in the second, scoring three runs in the second and two in the third to take a 5-2 advantage over Indiana State. Sophomore Abby Klopp entered the circle in relief of sophomore Bailey Benefiel in the top of the fourth inning and calmed the Jaguars, allowing just three hits over the next eight innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, junior Erika Crissman led off with a single and came around to score on a ground out to make it a 5-3 IUPUI lead.

The Sycamores continued attacking into the seventh when Brown hit a one out bunt single before Crissman hit her second RBI triple of the game to make it 5-4. Freshman Shaye Barton then tied the game on an RBI single to force extra innings.

Both teams had chances to score before the international tie break rule took effect in the 10th.

In the top of the 11th, the IUPUI runner placed at second came around to score after two groundouts to give the Jaguars a 6-5 lead. The Sycamores couldn't respond as they fell by a final score of 6-5 in 11 innings.

 Crissman finished the game 4-4 with two RBI triples and three runs scored while Klopp pitched the final eight innings in relief, allowing just three hits and no earned runs.

UIC Game

Pitching her second game of the day, sophomore Abby Klopp kept the Flames at bay until two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning when defensive errors led to two unearned runs to give UIC the victory.

The Sycamores struck early as senior Kelsey Montgomery led off the game with a bunt single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by junior Kassie Brown. Montgomery then scored on an RBI single off the bat of freshman Shaye Barton to give the Sycamores a 1-0 advantage.

Klopp held the Flames at bay in the circle, as UIC did not have a base run move past second base until the bottom of the third inning. 

In the top of the fourth inning, junior Brooke Riemenschneider led off with a double off the wall and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Klopp then laid down a perfect squeeze to score Riemenschneider and make it 2-0 Sycamores.

Illinois Chicago answered back in the bottom of the fifth as they scored two runs with two outs to tie the game 2-2.

The Sycamores answered in the top of the sixth as junior Rylee Holland hit a bunt single and came around to score on a Flames throwing error to give the Sycamores a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh with two outs the Flames hit a bunt single before a throwing error put two runners on, both came around to score as the Sycamores fell by a final score of 3-2.

Riemenschneider finished the game 2-3 with a run scored while Klopp pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs.

The Sycamores wrap up play at the Total Control Sports Invitational on Sunday when they take on Iowa at 12:30 p.m.