CLEARWATER, Fla. – Indiana State scored 27 runs on 26 hits while only yielding seven runs defensively in two very impressive six-inning run-rule wins over LaSalle (12-4) and Yale (15-3) at Day One of the Under Armour Showcase hosted by South Florida on Friday.
 
The Sycamores improved to 10-6 overall with today's two wins, ISU's best start in 16 games since 2013-14 (10-6). ISU is currently on a three-game winning streak and have yet to lose consecutive games this season, winning eight of its last 11 after starting season 2-3 at UNLV's Sportco Kick Off Classic.
 
"Offensively, we did a nice job of moving the ball and making things happen," said ISU head coach Shane Bouman. "Brooke Mann had a big day, but a lot of girls did a lot of very nice things today at the plate. We also had good defense behind our pitchers, who did a great job of getting outs today. This is a really nice start to the trip for us."
 
Pacing Indiana State on Friday was sophomore catcher Brooke Mann and freshman pitcher Della Gher, among many other productive Sycamores. Combined, Mann went 4-4 with two home runs, one double, three RBI, two walks and one stolen base. On the year, Mann leads ISU with five home runs – which also currently ranks second in the Valley.
 
Gher – a true freshman from nearby Paris, Ill., who graduated high school early in December – had two incredible outings. In the first game against LaSalle, Gher took over with a 5-3 lead in the fifth and shut the door for her first career save. In the afternoon tilt against Yale, Gher came on in early relief of Kylie Stober and ended up going the distance, pitching six complete scoreless innings and yielding only three hits. In total, Gher pitched 8.0 innings, allowing one unearned run and only three hits while only walking two.
 
"Today was great," Gher said. "All I had to do was throw strikes and our defense took care of the rest. I love being a Sycamore and getting to contribute to these wins."
 
Indiana State gets back at it early again tomorrow morning with an 11:30 a.m. contest vs. Mount St. Mary's and a 2 p.m. game against Providence.
 
Game One (6 innings):
Indiana State (9-6), 12
LaSalle (7-6), 4
WP: Kenzie Ihle (7-3)
LP: Marlo Roadcap (4-2)
SV: Della Gher (1)
 
It took a little bit for the bats to warm up, but they exploded when they did as Indiana State scored 11 in the last three innings after LaSalle jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning. In all, the Sycamores scored 12 runs on 13 hits, taking the first of two run-rule victories on the day at 12-4 over LaSalle.
 
Kenzie Ihle started the game and ended up with the win to improve to 7-3 on the season, but LaSalle had forced her out of the game in the fourth inning after stringing together three earned runs on three hits.
 
However, her teammates had her back as ISU immediately retook the lead in the bottom half and expounded on it in the innings to come. Freshman Leslie Sims (3-4, 3 SB) got it all started with an infield single and the first of her three stolen bases (Indiana State had eight steals on in the first game). Gabi Carter (2-3, 2B, SF, 2 RBI) moved her over to third with a single into left field before a Kassie Brown (2-3, RBI, SB, SAC) bunt single loaded the bases.
 
A Bailey Martin (1-5, RBI) RBI fielder's choice led into a two-run single by senior Rylee Holland (1-2, 2 RBI) and a two-run triple by fellow senior Erika Crissman (1-2, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 2 BB) into right center.
 
Now leading 5-3, Gher took over in the top of the fifth and immediately shut down LaSalle, sending them down in order. A Gabi Carter sac fly made the game 6-3 in the fifth, and in the next inning the Sycamores would burst the game open and end it six runs on five hits, which included a three-run homer by Brooke Mann (2-2, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SB), an RBI double by Carter and the game-winning RBI single by Martin.
 
Game Two (6 innings):
Indiana State (10-6), 15
Yale (0-5), 3
WP: Della Gher (2-0)
LP: Terra Jerpbak (0-2)
 
Indiana State overcame adversity in the second game as well against Yale and again ended up blowing past them to a 15-3 run-rule victory.
 
Kylie Stober started the game and faced four batters before Gher came in and held Yale scoreless for the remainder of the game. Gher, who entered the weekend with a 12.91 ERA in six appearances, pitched six superb scoreless innings while the Sycamores ran away with the game offensively. Impressively, Gher only needed 58 pitched to dispatch the 21 batters she faced in her six innings.
 
"She loves to compete," Bouman said. "She throws strikes, she wants to help her defense and play defense herself. We're glad to have her, she was a real bright spot today among a lot of great things going on."
 
Indiana State jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the top of the second, which included RBI singles by Bailey Martin (3-3, RBI, BB, SB) and Erika Crissman (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI).
 
ISU put up one more in the fifth to make the game 7-3 before exploding for eight runs in the sixth inning to win the game. Brooke Riemenschneider (2-3, 2B, BB, SB) started it off the right way with a double down the left field line. Kassie Brown (1-4, SB) pushed her to third on a bunt single and then stole second, just in time for Brooke Mann's (2-2, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB) second three-run shot of the day to make it 10-3.
 
A two RBI single by Rylee Holland (1-3, 3 RBI) gave Della Gher a 15-3 lead into the bottom fo the sixth, which ended with a 4-6-3 double-play to end the game.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Softball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.