March 29, 2006
Softball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Illinois State arrived at Indiana State today near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference, and used hot bats to stay there with a MVC doubleheader sweep of the Sycamores at Price Field. Illinois State was victorious by scores of 4-0 & 9-1 as the Sycamores fell to 10-15, 2-6 MVC on the season, while the Redbirds improved to 18-8, 7-1 MVC).

In the day’s first game, sophomore starter Darcy Wood allowed a quick run to the ‘Birds and that would be all that they needed for the victory. Illinois State would go on to add three insurance scores in the top of the seventh for a 4-0 win. Wood scattered six hits and allowed four runs while striking out five in the loss. Her season record dropped to 7-8 in defeat.

ISU got hits in the first game from freshman Katie Armour as well as junior Julie Damico. Down just 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, ISU had runners at first and second with one out, but Redbird starter Stacy Birk got two quick outs to end the threat. Illinois State’s Randi Patton singled to drive in Tricia Gaither for the game’s first run in taking the quick advantage in the top of the first inning.

Illinois State and the Sycamores battled through a scoreless first two innings, but the ‘Birds plated five runs in the top of the third inning to grab a lead that they would not lose. With the ‘Birds up 9-0 in the bottom of the fifth, ISU got its lone run of the contest off a double by junior Stephanie Spychaj which plated an unearned run by Ashley Trover to make the score 9-1. The Sycamores could not avoid the eight-run rule as the Redbirds recorded the final two outs for their seventh MVC victory of the season.

Damico took the loss in the day’s second game as she allowed seven hits in 3.1 innings of work. She struckout a pair of Redbirds in dropping to 1-2 on the season.

Indiana State returns to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Bradley for a three-game MVC series. The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at Noon (EST).

GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE