MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Amanda Guercio and Annie Tokarek each drove in a run but back-to-back home runs allowed in the fourth inning proved too much for Indiana State to overcome in a 3-2 loss at Memphis in the final game of the Memphis Softball Tournament.
 
Guercio was 2-for-3 at the plate and accounted for half of Indiana State's four hits in the game. It would be her RBI single down the right field line that would give Indiana State (8-9) the initial lead in the fourth inning.
 
But in the bottom half of that inning, Memphis (11-9) would take advantage of a Sycamore error to put Baylee Smith on base. The next batter, Ashley Threatt, sent a 2-2 pitch over the center field wall, giving the Tigers the 2-1 lead. Ryleigh Aungst, following Threatt in the lineup, made it back-to-back with a solo shot of her own pushing the lead to 3-1. Threatt would finish the day 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead Memphis.
 
Indiana State would get one back in the sixth when Tokarek, in a pinch-hitting role, smacked a bases loaded single through the right side with one out to cut the Tiger lead to 3-2. However, back-to-back fielder's choices ended the chance to tie. The Sycamores would not get a btter on base in the final inning.
 
Gabbi Schnaiter (4-3) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in three innings. Arielle Blankenship tossed three innings in relief, allowed just two hits while striking out one in three innings in relief.
 
Karli Perque (3-3) claimed the win after 4 2/3 innings where she allowed just one run on two hits while walking four and striking out five. Mariah Nichols (3), who allowed just one hit and struck out one in 1 2/3 innings, was credited with the save.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
When Indiana State needed a play, the freshman pinch hitter came up big. Annie Tokarek was 1-for-1 at the plate but that RBI single in the sixth kept the Sycamores hopes alive and drove in a run, making the contest a one-run game in the sixth. For that coolness under pressure, we recognize her performance here.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Sunday's contest marks the third time in four games that a Sycamore error has led to an unearned run.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Karli Perque, Memphis (3-3)
• Loss: Gabbi Schnaiter, Indiana State (4-3)
• Save: Mariah Nichols, Memphis (3)

 
RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 8-9 (2-5 Away)
• Memphis: 11-9 (6-1 Home)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State falls to 1-3 all-time against Memphis. Three of the four meetings have been determined by one run.
• Shaye Barton scored a run in the game, marking her 79^th career run scored. She ranks 10^th all-time at Indiana State in career runs scored and needs only three more runs to tie Connie Fiems (1988-91) for ninth place.
• Leslie Sims reached base with a walk in the first inning marking the 12^th consecutive game she has reached base.
• Sims stole a base marking her 12^th stolen base of the season (on 12 attempts) and her 58^th career stolen bases. She has played in 102 consecutive games without getting caught stealing.

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, Twitter and Instagram.