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22, 2007 SYCAMORES OUTLAST BILIKENS, WOOD STRIKES OUT 23 BATTERS TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Sycamores entered the day with a record of (14-10, 1-2 MVC) as they played host to the Bilikens of Saint Louis University (12-15, 0-0 Atlantic 10) for what was scheduled to be a double header. The Sycamores ended up capturing the win in a 14 inning standoff that lasted 3 and a half hours. The second game of the day was cancelled due to impending darkness after the first game went to extra innings. Pitcher Darcy Wood (8-8) came in for Freshman Lindsey Horta (0-0), who was making her first appearance of the year, in the top of the 2nd inning and pitched the rest of the way in the victory. Wood was credited with 13.0 innings pitched, giving up 2 runs on 11 hits, and an amazing 23 strikeouts. The 23 strikeouts bested her previous personal best of 15 against Eastern Illinois on March 5, 2005. The story doesn’t stop there for Darcy Wood, a pre-season All-MVC honoree; she now owns the Missouri Valley Conference All-Time record for strikeouts in a single game. This performance is also good for a tie with former National Player of the Year Cat Osterman of Texas (March 17, 2005) and Lori Sippel of Nebraska (April 24, 1988) for the 5th best single game strikeout performance in NCAA Division I history. The game was brought to a 4-4 tie in the top of the 5th as the Bilikens Rachel Heet drove a ball over the left field fence for a solo homerun. The score would stay gridlocked at 4-4 until the bottom of the 14th inning wit two outs as Senior Stephanie Spychaj stepped to the plate and placed a single into right field. The next batter was Sophomore Lauren Kebely who, with the game on the line, drove a ball into right field which was mishandled by the right fielder. The error allowed Spychaj to come home from first and secure the hard fought victory for the Sycamores. Kebely went 3 for 7 on the day with two RBI’s. Junior Katie Iocoangeli went 1 for 1 with two RBI’s and a run scored as she blasted a pinch hit homerun in the bottom of the 4th inning over the left field fence. With the win the Sycamores moved to (15-10, 1-2 MVC) and the Bilikens fell to (12-15, 0-0 Atlantic 10). The Sycamores
next game will be this Saturday, March 24 as they kick off a weekend
series with the Salukis of Southern Illinois. The first game on
Saturday, March 24 will begin at 12:00 noon with the second game
set to begin at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. The series will wrap up
on Sunday, March 25 with a game at 12:00 noon. All games will be
played at Price Field on the campus of Indiana State University.
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