CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Indiana State defeated Northwestern State 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the Warner Park Complex to complete a weekend sweep of the Chattanooga Challenge and extend their winning streak to seven games.
 
The Action
In what remained a defensive battle for most of the afternoon, both teams had only managed one hit each through the first two innings. The Sycamores had to play from behind after Northwestern State broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning.
 
Lyndsi Adamson, who was making her first career start in the circle at ISU, was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam and limit the Lady Devils to just one run in the inning.
 
Adamson struck out two batters the following inning to send the Trees to the plate where a Lexie Siwek SAC bunt and a Kennedy Shade walk set up Danielle Henning who delivered a clutch two-out single to drive in Shade and Isabella Henning and give Indiana State a 2-1 lead.
 
Northwestern State was threatening with runners on the corners in the top of the fifth when Siwek turned an unassisted double play to end the inning.
 
Lexi Benko would enter the game in relief of Adamson to begin the sixth inning where she worked around two base runners and struck out two straight to get out of the inning.
 
The Sycamores would have a chance to extend their lead in the bottom half of the frame after an Annie Tokarek leadoff single but couldn't get a run in.
 
Benko induced three straight groundouts from Northwester State in the seventh to secure the victory and earn her fourth career save. Lyndsi Adamson was the game's winning pitcher and improves to 2-0 on the season. Both Adamson and Benko finished their afternoon with two strikeouts.
 
Indiana State stole three bases in the game with Kennedy Shade collecting two and Abi Chipps with one.
 
Weekend in Review
-The Sycamores finished the weekend 5-0 to improve to 7-2 on the season. ISU has now won seven consecutive games which ties their longest winning streak since 2018.
 
-At the plate, Indiana State finished with a .264 average with six doubles, three home runs and 22 RBI's on the weekend. The Sycamores also drew 14 walks and stole seven bases.
 
-It was a strong weekend in the circle for Indiana State as pitchers only allowed seven earned runs while striking out 27 batters.
 
-Danielle Henning was the only Sycamore to record a hit in each game over the weekend.
 
-Indiana State had to come from behind to win in the final three games.
 
League Leaders
-Lexi Benko currently has the lowest ERA in the MVC at 1.43 across her 29.1 innings this season.
 
-Bella Peterson's 13 hits are the most in the MVC thus far.
 
-Cassie Thomerson has been hit by a pitch four times this season which is the most in the conference.
 
-Lyndsi Adamson has the lowest opponent batting average against, limiting teams to a .180 average this season and has only allowed nine hits in her 14.0 innings pitched.
 
Up Next
Indiana State will head to Birmingham, Alabama next weekend for the Samford Bulldog Classic where they will play both Samford and Boston College twice.

For the latest information on Sycamore Softball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.