MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Becky Malchow was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs and Indiana State used an 11-run first inning to propel the Sycamores past Tennessee State, 14-0 (5 inn.), Sunday afternoon at the Memphis Softball Tournament.
 
The Sycamores (12-7) sent 16 batters to the plate in the 11-run opening frame leaving Tennessee State (3-19) trailing by double-digit runs before the Tigers could even step to the plate.
 
Malchow, batting leadoff, had two singles in the first inning alone with the second driving in a run. She also drove in a run in the fourth inning. Despite the high score, Indiana State only scored in two innings – the first and the fourth – in accumulating its 14 runs in the game.
 
Three other Sycamores – Bailey Martin, Rebecca Gibbs and Shaye Barton – registered multiple hits. All nine starters for Indiana State reached base in some fashion.
 
Arielle Blankenship (5-2) pitched four innings of scoreless ball, striking out three and walking only two. Peyton Ottersbach allowed only one hit and struck out one in one inning in the circle.
 
Tennessee State's Erica O'Kane (0-4) was charged with the loss after only recording 1/3 of an inning in the circle, allowing eight runs on five hits and walking two. Tori Hart pitched the final 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits and walking two. Neither Tennessee State pitcher recorded a strikeout.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Becky Malchow gets the nod with her 3-for-4 performance at the plate, scoring all three times she reached base and driving in a combined two runs in two of her three hits.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
This game marked the third time this season the Sycamores had more runs than hits with all three opponents being Tennessee State.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Arielle Blankenship, Indiana State (5-2)
• Loss: Erica O'Kane, Tennessee State (0-4)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 12-7 (11-4 Neutral)
• Tennessee State: 3-19 (3-13 Neutral)

NOTABLES

• The 11 runs scored in the first inning mark the second time Indiana State has scored double-digit runs in a single inning this year, second only to the 12-run fifth inning the Sycamores posted against Tennessee State on Feb. 18 in Chattanooga.
• Indiana State is now 9-1 all-time against Tennessee State and has won nine straight in the series.
• The win brings the Sycamores to 74-74 all-time against current members of the Ohio Valley Conference.
• Becky Malchow tied a career-best performance at the plate with three hits.

 
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