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April 1, 2006 SYCAMORES BATTLE TO SPLIT WITH BRAVES TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State used the strong pitching of sophomore Darcy Wood and some timely hitting to down Bradley in the first game of a MVC doubleheader with Bradley in winning, 6-2. The Braves turned the tables on the Sycamores in game two, as BU received a stellar effort in the circle from Ashley Birdsong and some timely hits to down ISU, 11-1. The Sycamores are now 11-16, 3-7 MVC while Bradley is 13-13, 3-4 MVC. Wood went seven innings during the day’s first game as she pitched seven innings, allowing just five hits and two runs while striking out seven Braves. Junior Stephanie Spychaj carried the Sycamore banner at the plate by going 2-of-3 with a RBI in the victory. Spychaj singled down the leftfield line to drive in Meredith Simpson in the bottom of the first inning during game one to stake the Sycamores to a 1-0 advantage. In the third, Simpson drove in Julie Damico off an infield fielder’s choice for the two-run cushion. After Bradley cut the lead to 2-1, the Sycamores responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Damico doubled to left center to drive in Kelsey Anderson and Margaret McQueen. Then after the play apparently ended, no time was called and Yvette Tovar snuck home for the 5-1 lead. After Bradley countered with its second run in the top of the fifth, ISU’s Sam Markowski answered back with a double to left center which scored Lauren Kebely for the 6-2 lead. The advantage stuck in the seventh as Wood mowed down the Braves in order for the series-opening victory. Wood improved to 8-8 on the season with the victory, while Bradley starter Brittany Dehler fell to 4-4 after allowing five runs in just 3.2 innings of work. In game two, ISU fell behind 5-0 in the game’s first two innings, and were behind 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth before the Sycamores plated a run. Senior Alyssa Duncan collected her first home run of the season – a shot over the left field wall – to make the score 6-1. Bradley added five more runs in the top of the sixth, and ISU had no answer for Birdsong in the bottom of the frame in falling 11-1. Damico started the second game for the Sycamores, allowing five runs and seven hits in two innings of work. She dropped to 1-3 on the season with the loss. In relief, Jessica McGivney made her first appearance of the season in the circle and finished the game by going four innings, allowing nine hits and six runs. She struck out one batter. Birdsong tossed six innings, allowing just three hits and one run. She struck out seven Sycamores in the victory. Birdsong improved to 7-4 on the season. ISU returns to action tomorrow when they host Bradley in the third and final game of the series. First pitch at Price Field is set for Noon (EST).
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