BOCA RATON, Fla. - Amanda Guercio (3-for-3) led the Sycamores to a 4-1 victory over Northern Illinois in Boca Raton, Fla. on Sunday morning (Feb. 9). Starting pitcher, Freshmen Lexi Benko got her first career start and picked up the win.
Indiana State's bats were hot coming out of the game with eight hits. Northern Illinois would strike first in the top of the first inning on a RBI double. But, the Trees weren't going to back down. They tied the game up in the bottom of the third inning off of a Cassie Thomerson moon shot, solo home run.
The Blue & White stayed strong defensively and held the Huskies scoreless the rest of the game. Grace Hunger couldn't let Cassie be the only one to go yard, she blasted a two-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth inning for her fifth career home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Bella Peterson added an insurance run for the trees with an RBI double.
Freshmen Lexi Benko (1-0) was credited with the win giving up one run on six hits, no walks, and one strikeout. Arielle Blankenship threw an inning of relief allowing no runs on two hits.
Abbey Kruzel sealed the deal throwing the final inning in relief recording one strikeout. Northern Illinois' Delaney Ostrowski (0-2) was charged with the loss giving up three runs on five hits one walk and three strikeouts.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Grace Hunger gets the honor by going 1-for-2 with her 2-run homerun.Â
PITCHERS OF RECORD:
- Win: Lexi Benko Indiana State, (1-0)
- Loss: Delaney Ostrowski, (0-2)
- Save: None
RECORDS UPDATE
- Indiana State: (2-2)
- Northern Illinois: (1-4)
 NOTABLES
- In her first career start, Cassie Thomerson got her first career hit and homerun all in on at bat.
- Lexi Benko got her first career start with Indiana State and also got her first career win.
- Amanda Guercio was 3-for-3 in the game and was great behind the plate.
 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.
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