NORMAL, IL – Riding a three-hit shutout from Sara Finck, Illinois State glided to victory over Murray State, 2-0, advancing to the regional final.
Allison Spence and Annie Heineman led the offensive charge for the Redbirds, both tallying an RBI. No one in the ISU lineup struck out on Wednesday. Haven Campbell dealt well in the circle for the Racers, but only three Murray State batters reached safely, allowing the Redbirds to take the contest. Illinois State will advance to Thursday’s final, where they await the winner between Wednesday’s elimination game between Murray State and Michigan State. STOCKTON, CA – Facing elimination, Pacific utilized a three-run fifth inning to stay alive in the 2017 NISC, beating UC Santa Barbara, 6-3.
The middle part of the Tigers lineup came up huge on Wednesday, combining for two doubles and five RBI. All but one Pacific batter earned a hit against the Gauchos. Alyssa Diaz did her best to keep UCSB afloat. The first baseman went 3-4 with a run scored. Pacific will stay alive and await the loser over the match-up between Cal Poly and Nevada. The elimination game under the lights is slated for a 7 p.m. PT start time. ATLANTA, GA – Three extra-base hits propelled Kennesaw State to the regional, fighting past the host school Georgia State, 5-3.
With a double, home run and an RBI, Jessie Mullen was virtually unstoppable against the Panthers on Wednesday. Coming in during the third inning, Logan Viers pitched five rock-solid innings to ensure the Owls into the final Thursday. Ivie Drake provided most of the offense for Georgia State, going 2-4 at the dish with a home run and two RBI. Kennesaw State now earns the right to play for the regional title Thursday, awaiting the winner of Georgia State and a team yet to be determined. BEAUMONT, TX – Winning their second game is as many days, Lamar sits in the driver’s seat in their regional after defeating the Wildcats of Abilene Christian, 6-1.
Sable Hankins claimed three of her team’s six RBI, was walked once, scored twice and hit Lamar’s only home run. In the circle, Ciara Luna dominated with five strikeouts, giving up only four hits in her seven innings of work. Alli Spivey came up with Abilene Christian’s only run and earned one of four hits on the day for her team. Lamar will now await the winner of Wednesday night’s elimination game between Abilene Christian and Louisiana- Monroe. LYNCHBURG, VA – Sharp production out of the bottom end of the lineup for Liberty led them to a 3-0 victory against Ohio to advance to the regional final on Thursday.
Batting in the eighth spot on Wednesday, Kaitlin McFarland went 2-3 on the afternoon, scoring a run and claiming two of Liberty’s three RBI. Danielle Stiene pitched five great innings coming in relief for Savannah Jo Dorsey, striking out six and walking only one. Liberty will solidify a spot in the regional final on Thursday, awaiting the winner of Ohio and a team yet to be determined. OGDEN, UT – In the battle of the Beehive State, Weber State needed only two runs to silence their rivals to the south Utah State, 2-0.
Tatiana Su’esu’e went the full seven innings, giving up just three hits and striking out four to keep the Aggies at bay. KyRae Kogianes brought in the inevitable winning run with a fielder’s choice in the second inning. For the Aggies, Kelli White pitched six strong innings with two strikeouts, but Utah State left six base runners on the pads compared to Weber’s three. Weber State will now advance to the finals tomorrow which is set for 10 a.m. MT. The Wildcats will await the winner between Utah State and Boise State, who will square off Wednesday night at 4 p.m. MT. NORMAL, IL – The Spartans scored in all but two innings on Wednesday against the Jaguars to stay alive in the Illinois State Regional of the NISC, defeating IUPUI, 7-1.
Melanie Beccay and Kaitlyn Eveland proved to be warriors at the plate all afternoon long. The Michigan State dynamic duo combined for six hits, four RBI, two runs, one home run and one stolen base. For IUPUI, Roni Patterson didn’t go down without a fight, tallying two hits, including a double and the Jaguars’ only RBI. Michigan State will now face the loser of Murray State and host Illinois State at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday evening. BEAUMONT, TX – Anchored by a strong pitching duo, Louisiana-Monroe cruised past the Mavericks of UT Arlington to stay alive in the NISC, winning , 5-0.
Paige Porter and Melanie Coyne combined for the seven inning shutout. Facing 14 and 12 batters respectively, neither pitcher surrendered a run or a walk throughout the contest. Catcher Samantha Agamaite tallied two of the Warkawks’ RBI with two hits in her three plate appearances. UT Arlington’s Mallory Foster had the best day for the Mavericks, totaling two hits, an assist and a put out in right field . The Warhawks will move on to face the lover of the match-up between Abilene Christian and Lamar in a game to be played at 7 p.m. CT. ATLANTA, GA – Late-inning drama provided an exciting finish in the Georgia State Regional. Alabama State conjured up four of their seven hits in the final frame to stay alive, rolling past UT Martin, 3-0.
Vanessa Bradford pitched a gem of a game for the Hornets, going seven innings strong, striking out two and allowing zero earned runs. It was Alexia Boggess who came up with her only hit of the game, but it would go down as the game-winning single, bringing home Perry Hindi and Amira James to seal the victory. UT Martin’s Alli Fulcher had one of the Skyhawk’s four hits on the afternoon and came up with three assists at shortstop. Alabama State will now face Western Kentucky in the third and final match-up of the day in Atlanta at 7 p.m. ET for the right to stay in the NISC. OGDEN, UT – Carrying a one run lead into the final two innings, Boise State garnered a trio of insurance runs to ensure their stay in the 2017 NISC, beating San Diego, 7-3.
Morgan Lamb stole the show in Utah, totaling three hits, two runs, three RBI and a home run. The Broncos’ middle infield duo of Rebekah Cervantes and Karlee Johnson combined for 10 assists with zero errors. Sara Silveyra had the best day at the dish for San Diego, going 2-3 with a run and a double. Boise State will stay afloat in the Weber State Regional and will await the loser of the inter-Utah match-up between Utah State and Weber State who will face each other at 1 p.m. MT. |