TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State (5-18) kicks off Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend at Price Field, hosting Valparaiso (11-9) for a three-game series starting Friday at 3 p.m., followed by games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at noon, with all games streamed live on ESPN+.
Last Time Out:
Indiana State put together a strong offensive performance against Illinois on Tuesday but fell short in a 6-4 loss in Urbana.
Abby Widmar led the way, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while the Sycamores totaled 10 hits against Illini pitching.
ISU took a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Widmar's RBI single scored
Hannah Welch, followed by a Valpo error that brought in another run. Illinois responded in the bottom half with a grand slam to take the lead and added two more runs in the fifth.
The Sycamores cut into the deficit with a bases-loaded walk in the sixth and an RBI double from
Livi Colip in the seventh but couldn't complete the rally.
Hailey Griffin started strong in the circle, holding Illinois scoreless through three innings, while
Cassi Newbanks and
Megan Asher handled relief duties, with Asher striking out two over three innings.
Sycamore Standouts:
Indiana State is hitting .238 as a team with 142 hits, including 23 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. The Sycamores have recorded 56 RBIs and a .308 slugging percentage. With a .314 on-base percentage, they have successfully stolen 18 bases in 24 attempts.
Widmar leads the Sycamores at the plate, boasting a team-best .351 batting average. She has driven in 12 runs, while also delivering three doubles and two home runs.
Annie Waggoner has made the most of her opportunities, hitting .308 in limited at-bats while posting a .471 on-base percentage.
Whitley Wischmeier has provided power with a .400 slugging percentage, adding a home run and seven RBIs.
Lauren Marsicek has been a steady presence in the lineup, leading the team with six doubles while hitting .283.
Madison Poulson is second on the team in hits (16) and has scored eight runs for Indiana State.
Hannah Welch has been an impact player on the basepaths, leading the Sycamores with 13 runs scored and a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases.
Livi Colip has played a valuable role for the Sycamores, batting .261 while delivering seven RBIs this season. She has also contributed three doubles, adding to her offensive impact.
In the Circle:
Hailey Griffin has been a reliable leader in the circle for the Sycamores, posting a strong 2.68 ERA and limiting opponents to a .191 batting average.With a 3-5 record, Griffin has pitched four complete games, including two shutouts and one no-hitter, while striking out 44 batters in 52.1 innings.
Lauren Sackett has been another key contributor, holding a solid 3.27 ERA and recording 43 strikeouts in 51.1 innings in the circle.
Scouting Valpo:
Madison Vrastil has been a standout for Valparaiso, hitting .471 with a 1.155 OPS. She has 33 hits, including seven doubles and two triples, with three RBIs and a .629 slugging percentage. Vrastil is also perfect in stolen bases, going 9-for-9.
Azalya Lopez has been a key contributor for Valparaiso in the circle, posting a solid 2.48 ERA and holding opponents to a .215 batting average. With a 5-5 record, she has pitched 48.0 innings, recording 46 strikeouts while allowing 38 hits and 17 earned runs. Lopez has also tallied one save in her appearances.
Valparaiso is hitting .277 as a team with 145 hits, including 22 doubles, three triples, and 74 RBIs. The team boasts a .342 slugging percentage, 62 walks, and a .361 on-base percentage, while successfully stealing 22 bases in 25 attempts.
Matchup History:
Indiana State holds a strong 23-7 all-time record against Valparaiso, with a current five-game winning streak. The Sycamores have been dominant in recent matchups, going 9-1 in their last 10 meetings from April 2021 to May 2023.
The Sycamores largest margin of victory came on May 7, 2023, with an 11-0 win, while their smallest margin of victory was a 3-2 win on May 6, 2023 which was their most recent matchup.
Indiana State has been especially effective at home, with a 10-2 record, and has a solid 12-3 conference record. Their average runs per game in the series is 5.93.
Promotions:
- Friday's game will feature a Poster Giveaway, where fans can receive a limited-edition team poster while supplies last.
- Saturday will be Diamond Club Appreciation, recognizing and thanking loyal Diamond Club members for their support.
- Sunday will be Youth Sports Day & KC Stamp Day, with a free one-hour clinic for young athletes after the game, along with opportunities to collect KC stamps throughout the day. After each game on Sunday, kids can run the bases, weather permitting.
Up Next: The Sycamores will continue their home stand next weekend, hosting Murray State 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.
#MarchOn
