Indiana State picked up a pair of victories against the University of Evansville softball team in a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader on Saturday at Cooper Stadium.
In game one, the Sycamores (20-24, 5-14 MVC) held on for a 1-0 win before defeating Evansville (19-26, 10-9 MVC) by a 9-0 score in game two.
Following four scoreless innings, Indiana State pushed the first run of game one across in the top of the fifth. That is when a single by Rylee Holland scored Kassie Brown. In the circle, Kenzie Ihle got the job done for the Sycamores as she struck out eight UE batters in the first three innings
In the bottom of the fifth, UE got two runners on for the first time in the game with one out, but Ihle got out of the jam to keep the Aces off the board. She was able to hold UE scoreless from there as ISU took a 1-0 win. Evansville was held to just four hits, two coming off the bat of Ashlee Kawall. Morgan Florey went all seven innings, allowing one run on three hits.
After a defensive battle in game one, four Sycamore runs crossed the plate in the first inning of the second contest. Highlighting the inning was a 2-run double by Shaye Barton. ISU added its fifth run on a sacrifice fly in the second frame.
They were able to add four more in the fifth to clinch the 9-0 triumph. Mary Turitto finished with three RBI in the game for ISU while UE was limited to two hits as Brittany Hay and Hayli Scott each had a knock.
In between games, the 2002 MVC Championships squad was recognized as part of Alumni Day festivities. Earlier in the day, Beth Csukas was honored with the MVC Most Courageous Award.
Tomorrow, the series finale will take place at 11 a.m. inside Cooper Stadium.
