TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State showed an immense amount of resilience in the series finale against UNI on Sunday, mounting a six-run comeback in the bottom of the seventh for a walk-off 6-5 win to take its first Valley series of the season.
 
The Sycamores (15-13, 2-4 MVC) trailed UNI (15-13, 3-3 MVC) 5-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Indiana State immediately started an impressive comeback. Shaye Barton (1-3) took the first pitch of the inning into right field for a single to start the rally. Freshman Becky Malchow (1-2, BB) drew a walk and fellow freshman Leslie Sims (2-3) laid down a bunt single to load the bases for leadoff hitter Bailey Martin, who drew a seven-pitch walk for an RBI to cut UNI's lead to 5-1 for pinch-hitter Brooke Riemenschneider.
 
The senior got down 0-2 fast with the bases loaded and nobody out, but knocked a clutch bloop single into left field for two RBI to make the game 5-3.
 
Fellow senior Erika Crissman (2-3, 2 RBI, SB) wasted no time, taking the first pitch she saw through the right side to score two more to tie the game 5-5. She advanced to third on a deep flyout to right field by Brooke Mann (1-4) on a full count, setting the stage for a dramatic ending for senior Mary Turitto.
 
The senior Minnesota native wasted no time, taking the first pitch she saw deep into left field for a sacrifice fly against the wall to bring Crissman in for the winning run.
 
Despite the score entering the seventh inning, the Sycamores hung tight early in yet another pitcher's duel against UNI, with starters Kenzie Ihle (no decision) and Bailey Lange (L, 4-7) fighting back-and-forth for four scoreless innings to start the game.
 
UNI broke the game open in the fifth on a deep two-run homer to centerfield by Lange, but Ihle – who pitched a nine-inning complete game yesterday – settled down yet again to get out of the fifth and set down the Panthers in order in the 6th.
 
The Panthers forced Ihle out of the game in the seventh, though, seemingly putting the game out of reach with three more (two unearned) – including a solo home run to deep center by Sammey Bunch – to make the game 5-0 before the incredible comeback by the Sycamores in the bottom half of the inning.
 
Indiana State now stands at 15-13 overall and 2-4 in the Valley. The Sycamores will host Ball State for a midweek matchup on Wednesday (March 29) before their first Valley road trip of the season at Drake on April 1-2.
 
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.