TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Sycamores will face off against Illinois at Eichelberger Field on Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT, with the game streamed live on Big Ten Plus.
Last Time Out:
Indiana State faced a challenging weekend in Richmond, Ky., dropping all four games against Purdue Fort Wayne and Eastern Kentucky.
On Saturday, the Sycamores were shut out 4-0 by Purdue Fort Wayne despite two hits from Livi Colip.
In their second game, they suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 walk-off loss to Eastern Kentucky after rallying to take a 5-3 lead in the sixth, with Lauren Marsicek driving in three runs.
Sunday's matchups saw Purdue Fort Wayne dominate 12-3 behind a powerful offensive performance from Manos, who recorded two home runs and seven RBIs.
Indiana State's late push included an RBI single from Whitley Wischmeier, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.
In their final game, Eastern Kentucky beat the Sycamores 6-4, taking advantage of defensive errors by ISU to regain the lead late. Lauren Marsicek and Kenzie Cornwell each drove in two runs, but Indiana State's rally came up short.
Sycamore Standouts:
Brailey Mills leads the Sycamores with a .324 batting average and a .444 on-base percentage, collecting 12 hits and two RBIs while going a perfect 2-for-2 in stolen bases.
Abby Widmar has showcased power with a .576 slugging percentage, tallying two home runs, three doubles, and 11 RBIs.
Whitley Wischmeier has been productive at the plate with a .310 average, while driving in seven runs, including a home run.
Lauren Marsicek has been a key contributor, hitting .280 with six doubles and six RBIs while maintaining a .400 slugging percentage.
Hannah Welch leads the team in runs scored (12) and stolen bases (7-for-7), adding 16 hits, including a home run and three doubles.
Sophie Esposito has provided power with a home run and 10 runs scored, while Madison Poulson has recorded 15 hits and three stolen bases.
Livi Colip has added 11 hits and six RBIs, playing a consistent role in the lineup.
In the Circle:
Hailey Griffin is leading the team with a 2.84 ERA across 49.1 innings. She has a 3-5 record with 42 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .191 batting average.
Lauren Sackett has pitched the most innings (51.1) and leads the team with 43 strikeouts, posting a 3.27 ERA.
Cassi Newbanks has contributed two wins and 13 strikeouts over 21.2 innings.
Annie Waggoner and Megan Asher have combined for 17.2 innings of work. As a staff, the Sycamores have a 4.10 ERA, while opponents have posted a 2.40 ERA against them.
Scouting Illinois:
Illinois enters Tuesday's matchup with a 10-9 record and is coming off a 5-0 victory over Saint Louis on Friday in their home opener.
Ava Moore has been a key performer for Illinois, posting a .333 batting average across 19 games. She leads the team with 15 hits, including two home runs, and has a .412 on-base percentage.
Karley Yergler holds a 2.81 ERA and a 4-2 record through 9 appearances this season, including three starts. In 32.1 innings pitched, she has allowed 25 hits and 16 runs, striking out 16 batters. She also earned a shutout victory over SLU on Friday, surrendering only three hits and no runs.
Matchup History:
The Sycamores hold a 2-13 record against Illinois, a series that dates back to March 26, 2000. The most recent meeting occurred on March 29, 2023, where Indiana State was defeated 6-0 in Urbana.
Up Next: The Sycamores will kick off their home schedule this weekend, facing Valparaiso at 3 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. on Sunday.
Follow the Sycamores
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. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
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