Friday's Softball Results
Courtesy of MAC Athletic Communications
Friday Scoreboard
Michigan State 5, Akron 0
Morehead State 8, Akron 7
Ball State 11, South Dakote 8
Western Kentucky 8, Buffalo 0
Buffalo 11, Alabama State 8
Samford 15, Central Michigan 7
Samford 5, Miami 0
Miami 6, Syracuse 4
Pittsburgh 3, Northern Illinois 2
Tennessee 5, Ohio 0
Kennesaw State 7, Ohio 2
Toledo 12, Niagara 2
Cleveland State 4, Toledo 3
Creighton 8, Western Michigan 5
Western Michigan 5, Indiana 4
Akron
Game 1 Results
Game 2 Results
DELAND, Fla. – The University of Akron softball team had a tough opening day at Stetson's Westin Lake Mary Lead-Off Classic on Friday. The Zips (0-2) fell to Michigan State, 5-0, in the opener, and dropped an 8-7 decision to Morehead State in the afternoon.
"Rough start today, but we will make adjustments and get back at it tomorrow," head coach Julie Jones said. "We did see some good things from our Zips. We just need to put both parts– offense and defense– together and play our game."
In the opener, the Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning, limiting the Zips to just one hit on the day, a single by senior second baseman Kellie Roudabush (Hilliard, Ohio) in the top of the fourth. Junior right-hander Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) pitched four innings, fanning six batters and walking three.
In the afternoon match-up with Morehead State, the Zips had an outstanding start, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first. Sophomore outfielder Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) homered for the second time in her young career, bringing in three runs. UA added an insurance run in the bottom of the second to take a 7-0 lead.
Morehead State scored its first run in the top of the fourth on a single to center field. The Eagles then scored seven runs on seven hits in the top of the sixth to go ahead 8-7 and hung on for the come-from-behind win. Senior pitcher Sara Pearson (Somerville, Ohio) took the loss for Akron. She struck out 10 and walked five while hurling 5.1 innings.
Play resumes at the Westin Lake Mary Lead-Off Classic on Saturday, Feb. 7. Akron faces Rhode Island at Noon, followed by a game with host Stetson at 6 p.m. All games will be played at Patricia Wilson Field.
Ball State
Results
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Trailing by six and down to its final out, the Ball State softball team rallied for six runs in the top of the seventh inning on its way to a thrilling 11-8 (9 inn.) season-opening victory over South Dakota in its first game of the Music City Classic at Lipscomb’s Draper Diamond Friday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.
The Cardinals (1-0) looked down for the count, trailing 8-2 with two outs in the top of the seventh, but an untimely error by the Coyotes (0-1) kept Ball State alive and helped spark a six-run rally which tied the score. Ball State then capitalize on a three-run homer from junior second baseman Emily Dabkowski (Plainfield, Ind./South Putnam) in the top of the ninth and went on to win the game.
Dabkowski finished the game a single shy of the cycle, logging a double, triple and home run. She also drove in four runs, while scoring three times. Senior left fielder Hanne Stuedemann (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) added a pair of hits, including a fourth-inning double which gave BSU its first run of the season.
In the circle, sophomore Jocelyn Rivera (Brooklyn, Ohio/Brooklyn) earned the victory after five solid innings of relief work. She held the Coyotes to just one hit, while striking out five batters. In fact, Rivera successfully retired the final 11 batters she faced in the game.
After three scoreless innings, Dabkowski provided a spark for the Ball State offense with a leadoff triple in the fourth. Stuedemann followed with a single to left field to drive in the Cardinals’ first run of the season.
South Dakota, who ended the Cardinals threat in the top of the inning with a double play, seemingly broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth by posting six runs on the Draper Diamond scoreboard, including a two-run home run from Yvon Minogue. Matley Jones added a two-run homer for USD in the bottom of the fifth to push the score to 8-1.
Ball State cut the South Dakota lead to 8-2 in the top of the sixth thanks to a two-out RBI double from senior catcher Jessica Craft (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte) which drove in Stuedemann who also doubled in the previous at bat.
Rivera struck out three of the four batters she faced in the bottom of the sixth, keeping the margin at six runs entering the seventh.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, junior shortstop Selena Reyna (Houston, Texas/South Houston) reach base on a USD error, while sophomore center fielder India Steward (Matteson, Ill./Rich South) drew a walk to put a pair of runners on base. Senior right fielder Loren Cihlar (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) followed with a bases-clearing triple to cut the Coyotes lead to 8-4.
Dabkowski added a RBI double to right-center field, making the score 8-5, while Stuedemann was hit by a pitch and Craft drew a walk to load the bases. After junior first baseman Sammi Cowger (Fenton, Mich./Fenton) drew a RBI walk to cut the gap to 8-6, sophomore third baseman Hayley Cruthers (Swartz Creek, Mich./Swartz Creek) tied the score with a two-run single which was just out of reach of the South Dakota right fielder. Unfortunately, the potential go-ahead run was thrown out at home on the play.
Dabkowski would then provide some extra-inning heroics with a three-run blast in the top of the ninth, driving in Steward who was placed on second and Cihlar who drew a walk.
The Ball State softball team continues play in the Music City Classic Saturday with a pair of games versus in-state foes IUPUI (9 a.m. CT) and Indiana State (11:30 a.m. CT). Both games are scheduled to be played at Lipscomb’s Draper Diamond.
Buffalo
Game 1 Results
Game 2 Results
TROY, AL – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, softball team opened the 2015 season on Friday, splitting its two games on the day. UB dropped the opener 8-0 to Western Kentucky before coming back to defeat Alabama State, 11-8, in eight innings.
The Bulls started five players who had never taken the field for UB in the opener and they struggled offensively as the Bulls managed just two hits in six innings, both doubles from senior Alexis Curtiss. Curtiss led off the game with a double to left field and advanced to third on a passed ball, but UB was unable to drive her home.
The game remained scoreless into the bottom of the third when Western Kentucky scored three runs before a double play got the Bulls out of the jam. Curtiss again doubled with one out in the top of the sixth and UB put two runners in scoring position, but couldn't cross the plate.
Western Kentucky scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth, with the last four coming on a grand slam to end the game. Redshirt sophomore Bobbi Langlois picked up the loss as she went the complete game, striking out three. Curtiss reached base all three times with a pair of doubles and a hit by pitch.
In the second game, Alabama State scored the first three runs of the game and held on to a 3-0 lead into the third inning before the Bulls would answer. UB put the first two runners on, including the first career hit from freshman Leandra Jew. The Bulls continued to have two runners in scoring position with two outs when senior Hayley Barrow, singled down the left field line to score a pair. UB tied the game up as Barrow was driven in on a single from freshman Sarah Edwards.
UB added a run in the top of the fourth as Curtiss drove in Jew with a two-out double to right center and the Bulls added another run in the fifth following an Alabama St. error. UB scored two more in the top of the sixth as another double from Curtiss scored Jew and a double from Barrow drove in Curtiss.
However, despite taking a four run lead into the seventh, Alabama State was able to score four runs and send the game to extra frames.
With the international tie-breaker rule in effect, Jew began the eighth inning at second and moved to third following a fly out. After a walk to sophomore Ashton Earnhardt, junior Lauren Gambone gave the Bulls the lead again with a single up the middle. A double from Barrow drove in Earnhardt and then junior Kenzie Koch continued her solid day with a double to right center, driving in two. Alabama State scored one in the bottom of the eighth, but UB was able to hold on for the first win of the year.
Freshman Charlotte Miller picked up her first career win as she struck out three in 5.0 innings of work. Curtiss, Barrow, Koch, and Jew each had three-hit games as the Bulls finished with 17 hits in the contest. Curtiss and Barrow each had a pair of doubles as Curtiss finished the day today with four doubles in the two games.
Gambone, Jew, and Edwards each recorded their first hits in a UB uniform as Jew had three hits and Gambone finished with two.
"It was a rough day for us today, but we ended up with a win," said second-year head coach Trena Peel. "The girls bounced back in game two today and we swung the bats really well."
The Bulls will continue play at the Troy Chick-Fil-A Invite tomorrow as they face North Florida at 10:30 am EST and then the host Troy Trojans at 3:30 pm EST.
Central Michigan
Results
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Central Michigan came back from an early 6-0 deficit to seize a 7-6 lead only to see the wheels come off in the sixth inning Friday as Samford handed CMU a 15-7 loss in the Chippewas' season-opening softball game.
The game was played indoors at The Dome at Rosemont as part of the nine-team Loyola/UIC Invitational. The Chippewas are scheduled to play Syracuse on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Western Illinois at 8 p.m. CMU closes the tournament on Sunday against co-host Illinois-Chicago at 3 p.m.
CMU found itself in a 6-0 hole after two innings, but chipped away with a run in the third and two each in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 7-6 lead into the sixth.
Samford scored nine runs on nine hits in the bottom of the sixth to claim the victory.
Trista Cox homered, CarolAnn Sexauer had two hits, and Karly Hansen doubled and drove in three runs to lead the Chippewas at the plate.
CMU finished with seven hits, and committed three errors.
Freshman Hanna Warren took the loss. She went 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out one.
Rachael Knapp started for the Chippewas and lasted just 1 2/3 innings. She surrendered six runs on six hits and walked three. Taylor Weaver pitched the final 2/3 of an inning for CMU, allowing six runs on six hits.
Miami
Game 1 Results
Game 2 Results
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Miami University softball team earned a split on its opening day at the Total Control Sports Invite on Friday. The RedHawks fell to Samford, 5-0, in their season opener. Miami came back to defeat Syracuse, 6-4, in the nightcap. The games were played indoors at the Dome at the Ballpark at Rosemont.
Senior pitcher/utility player Remy Edwards shut down the Orange offense in the second game. It was her first appearance in the circle after spending the previous three seasons as an infielder. She allowed only two earned runs (four runs total) on five hits in six innings pitched. She struck out seven.
Miami got things going right off the bat with two runs in the top of the first against Syracuse. Senior outfielder Tiyona Marshall led off by reaching on an error. One batter later, junior outfielder Taylor Shuey reached on a bunt single. Senior outfielder Bree Lipscomb put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up a base. Junior first baseman Hailey Reed brought Marshall and Shuey home with a single to right field.
With one out in the top of the fourth, Marshall singled to center field. Sophomore second baseman Eryn McCarver sacrifice bunted her to second base. Shuey followed with a single up the middle to score Marshall and make it 3-0.
The RedHawks broke the game open with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Junior outfielder Tanya Busby led off with a single. Marshall reached base for the fourth time in the game on a bunt single. McCarver was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no one out. The Orange came back with a strikeout, but a double from Lipscomb scored Busby and Marshall. Reed finished with an RBI groundout that brought home McCarver and made it 6-0.
After being held scoreless on four hits over the first five innings, Syracuse was able to tag Edwards for a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the seventh a leadoff infield single followed by a triple made it 6-3. Senior pitcher/designated player Megan Mattera came into the game in relief. While the run did score on an error, Mattera was able to record the three outs to secure the 6-4 win.
Marshall finished the nightcap 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Shuey was 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Lipscomb and Reed each recorded two RBI in the contest.
The RedHawks were stymied by a strong Samford pitching duo in the opener. Mollie Hanson allowed only one hit over five innings pitched, while Grey Adams finished off the final two innings allowing only two hits. Miami’s best chance to score came in the bottom of the seventh when Shuey and Lipscomb hit back-to-back singles. However, Adams was able to strand them there.
Junior pitcher Amber Logemann got the start and kept the Bulldogs off the board until they scored three runs on three hits and an error in the top of the third. Logemann finished the game allowing two earned runs (four runs total) in five innings pitched.
Miami continues play at the Total Control Sports Invite with two games on Saturday. The RedHawks take on North Dakota at 10 a.m. (EST) and face UIC at 5:30 p.m. (EST).
Northern Illinois
Results
SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Northern Illinois University softball team opened its season Friday with a pair of late-inning losses at the Texas State Hampton Inn & Suites Invitational.
The Huskies (0-2) let an early lead slip away in the first game against Pittsburgh (2-0), then came up short against the host Bobcats (2-0) in game two.
“We learned some things about ourselves today,” said NIU Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe. “We got better as a team in certain areas and had some tenacity. We just have to turn the results around.”
Game One: Late Pittsburgh Rally Sinks Huskies, 3-2
Despite taking an early lead, the Huskies suffered a 3-2 defeat against ACC foe Pittsburgh Friday afternoon.
Six Huskies collected a hit in the contest – including RBI singles from Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) and Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Radford Univ.) – as the Huskies posted five hits in the first two innings. However, the Panthers shut down NIU’s offense in the final five frames by allowing just one hit and one walk the rest of the way.
The Huskies pounced on the Panthers early in the contest with a 2-0 lead after one. Following a walk from Bryanna Phelan (Coal City, Ill./Coal City) and a bunt single from Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central), Grable got NIU on the board with a single up the middle, while Naegele followed that up with a single into left-center to get NIU started.
“Honestly, I think in the second inning, we had some baserunning errors that gave them the momentum and we weren’t able to capitalize and get it back,” Sutcliffe said.
Pitt got one run back in the top of the third with a solo home run, then knotted up the contest at 2-2 with another solo shot to lead off the fourth. Pitcher Jessica Sturm (Wichita, Kan./Goddard) quieted the Panther bats after that by not allowing a hit and retiring six of seven batters to close out the fourth and fifth innings.
In the sixth, the Panthers threatened to take the lead after a leadoff double and a one-out single put runners on the corners. Yet, Sturm again came through to halt the Pitt offense, forcing a ground out and a pop out to get out of the frame and strand a pair of runners.
“Jess definitely threw well enough to get a win,” Sutcliffe said. “We just didn’t offensively support her enough. She had a couple balls go deep on her, but it’s early in the year and they’ve got to settle in, as well. She threw well enough to get a W.”
Pitt broke through in the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead on NIU. After opening the frame with a walk, the Panthers used a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to second, then got the go-ahead run home off an error following a second-straight sac bunt. Needing a run in the bottom half, Pitt forced a ground out and two strikeouts to close out the game.
Game Two: Texas State Offense Too Much for Huskies in 14-5 Loss
NIU got off to another promising start in the night cap, but saw Texas State’s offense explode in the later innings during a 14-5 loss.
Kayti Grable knocked in two of NIU’s runs on a home run, while Emily Naegele and Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) each brought in a run on solo homers.
“We don’t really preach the long ball,” Sutcliffe said. “We just preach hit a line drive and, if it happens to go over, it goes over. It was nice to see us hit three in one game. Unfortunately, it came during a loss.”
Much as they had in the first game of the day, the Huskies’ offense caught fire early in the game. Following a pair of singles from Bryanna Phelan and Bekah Harnish, Grable got the Huskies on the board with a two-run home run into left-center field for a 2-0 lead. Naegele repeated the feat with a solo shot into center field to put the Huskies out to a 3-0 lead through one.
Meanwhile, freshman Keegan Hayes (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) held the Texas State offense in check at the start. The Naperville, Illinois, native kept the Bobcats without a hit in the first two innings and just two baserunners into the opening three frames.
Yet, Texas State got on the board in the top of the fourth. After an unassisted double play to first base gave NIU two outs, Hayes gave up a walk before the Bobcats sent one over the fences to trim the NIU lead to 3-2.
A half inning later, the Huskies pushed the lead back up to two when Woollard collected her first career hit with a home run. Facing a 3-2 count, the New Castle, Indiana, native got a hold of a pitch and sent it over the center field fence for a 4-2 Huskies lead.
Undeterred, the Bobcats rallied again in the fifth. Following a one-out shot into left-center for Texas State, Hayes was pulled in favor of fellow freshman Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover). With the next batter, the Bobcats launched another home run into right field for a 4-4 tie. Texas State moved into the lead at 5-4 when a passed ball allowed the go-ahead run to cross home plate.
“I don’t. Our freshmen are doing really well,” Sutcliffe said about concerns of starting a freshman pitcher. “At this point in the year, we’re not really worried about what class they’re in. They’ve been putting in the work. I think everybody just needs to settle in and figure out how to use their tools to best maximize their effort.”
Texas State kept the runs coming in the sixth inning with an RBI double and RBI single to push their advantage to 7-4. However, the Huskies stayed in the game in the following half inning, as Grable reached on a single. After being pinch run for by Kristyn Barrett (Monticello, Ill./Monticello), Woollard got Barrett to third on an error, while Rebecca Rupard (Normal, Ill./Normal West) got Barrett home after reaching on an error.
In the seventh, the Bobcats squashed any hopes of a Huskie rally with a seven-run, five-hit inning, cruising to the win in the process.
The Huskies continue in Texas tomorrow with two more games. NIU clashes with Sam Houston State at 3 p.m. before getting a rematch with Pitt at 5:30 p.m.
Ohio
Game 1 Results
Game 2 Results
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Ohio softball team kicked off its 2015 campaign at the KSU Classic hosted by Kennesaw State where they faced 13/14th ranked Tennessee in game one of its double-header, and Kennesaw State in game two. Ohio fell in game one to the Lady Vols 5-0, and then to the Owls in game two, 7-2.
Tennessee struck early in the second inning on a Tory Lewis sacrifice fly, scoring Lexi Overstreet. That run put the Vols up 1-0, never looking back. The squad had a monstrous sixth inning, scoring four runs on three hits.
Ohio’s biggest threat came in the top of the seventh inning as Madison Claytor (Alpharetta, Ga.) reached on a fielding error. Next to the plate was pitcher Savannah Jo Dorsey (Grove City, Ohio), who singled to center field. The game ended on a strike out by junior Sam Bowlsbey (Farmingdale, N.J.), leaving the bases loaded.
On the mound for the Green and White was Dorsey. Dorsey pitched five innings allowing three earned runs on three hits, while striking out seven. Senior Lauren McClary (Pasadena, Texas) came in for relief, pitching one inning and allowing two runs on two hits.
Leading the way for the Bobcats at the plate were Amanda Dalton (Salem, Va.), Sloan Walker (Cypress, Texas), and Dorsey, with each having one hit.
Ohio finished game one of their double-header at the KSU Classic with three hits, zero errors, and leaving six on base.
The Bobcats faced Kennesaw State in game two of their double-header. The Owls got off to a hot start with a two-run homer by junior Hilary Kartman. Kennesaw State finished the first inning up 3-0.
Ohio started to inch their way back in the top of the third. With one out, freshman Mikayla Cooper (Delaware, Ohio) reached first base on a walk. Cooper then advanced to second on a Dorsey sacrifice bunt. Dalton reached first on a fielder’s choice, advancing Cooper to third. Next to the plate for Ohio was Walker, who delivered a single to left field, scoring Cooper, and narrowing the deficit 3-1.
The next two innings went back and forth between the Bobcats and the Owls. KSU responded in the third, scoring three more runs. But, Ohio would score a run of its own in the top of the fourth from a Cooper single down the left field line, scoring senior Adrienna Gebele (Annapolis, Md.). Then, it was Kennesaw State’s turn to score. This time, the Owls tacked on another run, putting the KSU up 7-2. After that run, there would be no more scoring for either team.
After coming in for relief in game one, McClary started on the mound for the Bobcats in game two. McClary lasted one inning allowing three runs on three hits. Senior Kaylin Clarke (North Royalton, Ohio) took the pitching responsibilities over for McClary, striking out three and allowing three runs. Leanna Bachman (Carroll, Ohio) pitched two innings, allowing one run on five hits.
Leading the charge offensively for Ohio was Walker, who had two hits on four at bats, as well as Cooper and Dorsey, who had two hits on two at bats. Both Walker and Cooper knocked in a run each.
The Bobcats continue play tomorrow in the KSU Classic, as they take on Tennessee Tech. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.
Toledo
Game 1 Results
Game 2 Results
CLEVELAND, OH – The Toledo softball team opened its season on Friday at the Cleveland State Dome Tournament by splitting its first doubleheader to start the season 1-1.
The Rockets lost the first game to Cleveland State, but bounced back with a 12-2 over Niagara in the second game of the day.
Toledo had an offensive outburst in game two against the Purple Eagles, scoring 12 runs on 13 hits and ending the game after five innings.
Senior IF Allissa Turkovich and sophomore IF Chandler Rice each went 3-for-3, while Rice added three runs and three RBI with a home run. Senior IF Nichole Toven was the second Rocket with three RBI with a triple, and sophomore UT Celeste Fidge and freshman C Kaitlyn Bergman each added two RBI.
The Rockets led off the game with four runs and never looked back.
Sophomore P Emily Anderson earned the win, going five innings and allowing just two runs with five strikeouts.
In game one against the host Vikings, the two teams fought back and forth, but came up just short in a 4-3 loss.
Turkovich led the way by going 3-for-3 for the second-straight game, while freshman IF Samantha Showalter added two doubles in a 2-for-3 game. Senior OF Alyssa Smith scored two runs while going 1-for-4, and Toven scored one run, with a walk and a single.
Junior P Marla Gooding pitched six innings, while allowing four runs off six hits.
Toledo outhit the Vikings 9-6 and committed no fielding errors compared to CSU's one, but the Rockets left six critical runners on base in the one-run game.
CSU opened with two runs in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead, but the Rockets fought back to tally two runs of their own in the top of the third. After a walk from Toven and a bunt single by Smith, Fidge reached on a throwing error, and Toven and Smith came all the way around to score.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Vikings added a run off a solo home run, their second of the game.
UT would tie the game at three apiece in the top of the third off an RBI single by Rice, scoring Smith.
In the bottom of the sixth, however, CSU struck again, this time on a wild pitch to go ahead for good.
Cleveland State junior IF Nena Doran had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, while sophomore C/IF Erica McNew added the other solo shot for CSU.
Junior P Alex Radjen earned the win, going seven innings and allowing nine hits with 10 strikeouts.
The Rockets continue the CSU Dome Tournament Saturday with one game at 10:30 a.m. against Robert Morris. UT closes the tournament Sunday with a doubleheader vs. Bucknell and Canisius.
Western Michigan
Game 1 Results
Game 2 Results
TEMPE, Ariz.- Western Michigan softball dropped its first game 8-5 after a late rally by Creighton, but rebounded to post a 5-4 win over Big Ten opponent Indiana at the Kajikawa Classic Friday.
Sophomore left fielder Ivy Schaaf went 5-for-7 on the day with four RBIs, two home runs, a double, three runs scored, a stolen base and a walk.
Sophomore Erin Binkowski picked up the win on the mound in game two going five innings and junior Allyson Kus earned her fifth career save.
The Broncos (1-2) battle Seattle and UC Riverside tomorrow and wrap up their stay in Arizona against Ole Miss on Sunday.
GAME 1: WMU 5, CREIGHTON 8
Schaaf went 3-for-3 with three RBIs in game one, belting a double and a pair of home runs. She gave WMU a 1-0 lead with a solo shot to left in the first and pushed the Broncos ahead 3-0 with a two-run blast in her next at bat in the third.
Creighton fought back with four runs in the fourth, using three hits a walk and a hit by pitch.
WMU freshman Haley Thibeault evened the score at 4-4 in the fourth, scoring a run with a ground-rule double for her first collegiate hit. The Broncos pulled back in front with a run in the fifth. Schaaf walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. She crossed the plate on a fielding error.
Defensively, Western Michigan did a good job shutting the door in the sixth, turning its second double play of the game. Things started off shaky in the top of the seventh however, allowing the leadoff batter to reach on an error.
Creighton went on to string together four hits with one out, including a two-run triple by Elizabeth Dike, to take an 8-5 lead.
In the Broncos’ final at bat in the bottom of the seventh, Schaaf hit a one-out double to give WMU a runner in scoring position. Creighton closed out the win with a flyout and a strikeout.
Freshman pitcher Anissa Sanchez (0-1) made her first career start in the circle and only allowed three one hit through the first three innings. Creighton caught up to her as the game progressed though. She was charged with eight runs (seven earned) and eight hits over 6.1 innings. She struck out three, walked three and hit two batters.
Senior Becca Schemberger recorded the final two outs for WMU. It was Schemberger’s first action since 2013 as she missed last year win injury.
GAME 2: WMU 5, INDIANA 4
Schaaf continued swinging a hot bat in game two, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sophomore Erin Binkowski pulled double duty, getting the win on the rubber and batting 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Freshman Gabby Schefka smacked a two-run double for her first career hit.
It was the second straight victory for Western Michigan against its Big Ten opponent, also defeating the Hoosiers the last time the two met in 2005.
Indiana struck first with a pair of one-run singles in the first and WMU responded with three runs on five hits in the top of the second. Binkowski, Taylor Sanicki and Schaaf each roped RBI singles. Kelsea Cichocki and Melissa Palmer also had base hits in the inning.
WMU went ahead 5-2 in the second when Schefka followed singles by Jenny Rohn and Binkowski with a two-run double to right field.
Indiana mustered a run with a walk, a single and wild pitch in the fifth and tallied a final run in the seventh on a bases-loaded groundout.
Binkowski’s (1-1) line read three runs, five hits, three walks and two strikeouts over five innings pitched. Kus fanned two, walked three and allowed one run and one hits in two innings.
