CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Indiana State avenged its season-opening loss and claimed its fourth consecutive win of the early season with a 2-0 win over Sacred Heart, avenging a loss to the Pioneers in the season opening game.
 
The win marked the first shutout of the young season for Indiana State (4-1) as the Sycamores scored single runs in the first and third innings then withstood the Pioneers late-game threats to score.
 
ISU took the early lead as Shaye Barton sent an RBI single up the middle to score Brooke Mann in the top of the first. Bella Peterson added to the tally in the top of the third as she sent an RBI double down the right field line, sending pinch runner Kristen Kelly home.
 
Sacred Heart (3-2) threatened in the seventh with runners on first and second. Jennie Boisvert singled to center and Fallon Bevino raced around third, heading for home. Indiana State's Becky Malchow fielded the hit, fired the ball home and gunned down Bevino at the plate to prevent the run and preserve the shutout.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Abbey Kruzel gets the nod after throwing 3 2/3 innings of no-hit ball and claiming the win. In all, Kruzel went 5 2/3 innings in the circle, allowing only three hits, walking one and striking out three as she combined for a shutout of the Pioneers.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
The blanking of the Pioneers marks the first shutout of the season for Indiana State.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Abbey Kruzel, Indiana State (2-0)
• Loss: Emily Orosco, Sacred Heart (1-2)
• Save: Arielle Blankenship, Indiana State (1)

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 4-1 (3-1 Neutral)
• Sacred Heart: 3-2 (2-2 Neutral)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State has now won four consecutive games, matching the longest winning streak of the 2017 season.
• The Sycamores are now 6-1 all-time against Sacred Heart and have a 22-4 all-time record against teams from the Northeast Conference.
• Becky Malchow's throw home to gun down the Sacred Heart runner in the seventh marked Indiana State's first outfield assist of the season.

 
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