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May 10, 2007 INDIANA STATE DOWNS EVANSVILLE IN OPENING ROUND OF MVC TOURNAMENT NORMAL, Ill. – During the regular season Indiana State and Evansville battled to three consecutive one-run games. It was more of the same between the Sycamores and Purple Aces as ISU came up with its first victory in the State Farm MVC Tournament since the 2000 season, with a 3-2 extra inning victory over Evansville in the opening round. ISU improves to 22-26 while Evansville’s season ends at 33-20. Indiana State scored first with a run in the third inning. Natalie Kopp led off the frame with a single to left field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Yvette Tovar. After Julie Damico struck out swinging, Kopp stood at second base with two outs. Lauren Kebely struck the first blow in the game as she singled to shallow center field which allowed Kopp to score and give the Sycamores a 1-0 advantage. After Evansville knotted the scored at one run each in the bottom of third with a bases loaded walk to Cassey Kemna, senior Stephanie Spychaj gave the Sycamores a 2-1 lead with her third home run of the season just over the left field fence. Just like in the third inning, the Purple Aces had an answer for the Sycamore score in the fourth when Lissa Fehlman belted a home run of her own over the left field fence to knot the score at two runs each. Darcy Wood as well as Purple Ace pitcher Ashley Hobbs settled down over the next three innings as both teams were held scoreless to send the game into extra innings. With one out in the eighth, All-MVC selection Meredith Simpson singled through the right side and moved over to third on a single up the middle by Spychaj. With runners at the corners and just one out, Jessica McGivney came up with a big RBI single to left field which scored Simpson for the 3-2 extra inning lead. Spychaj came up big in the game finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored as well as a RBI. McGivney finished 2-for-4 at the plate with the game winning RBI. Junior Darcy Wood earned her 12th victory of the season by pitching the full eight innings. She allowed five hits and pair of earned runs while walking six (three of which were intentional) and striking out eight. With the Sycamore victory, Indiana State improved to 3-0 all-time against the Purple Aces in MVC Tournament action. The Sycamores are making their first appearance in the State Farm MVC Tournament since the 2000 season, when they won their first two games before falling in the semi-finals. Indiana State now advances to the third game of the MVC Tournament this afternoon against the No. 4 seeded Wichita State Shockers. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. (ET).
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