Lacy Smith wins it for UE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Sophomore Lacy Smith came through with two clutch hits, including the game-winner as the University of Evansville softball team defeated Indiana State by a 6-5 final in eight innings on Wednesday inside Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Smith helped UE tie the game with a single in the bottom of the 6th before coming through once again in the 8th. After the Sycamores plated a pair to take a 5-3 lead, Marah Wood hit a solo shot to cut the deficit in half. With runners on second and third, Smith was at the plate once again and hit the game-winning double.
Just as they had done in Tuesday’s game, Indiana State plated two runs in the top half of the first. ISU got on the board with a fielder’s choice before a bases loaded walk scored the second.
Evansville cut the Sycamore lead in half in the bottom of the second. Brooke Voss reached on a stand up double and would cross the plate on Jenna Nink’s 2-out RBI single. In the third, ISU got the run right back but the damage could have been worse. The Sycamores recorded four hits in the frame but Purple Aces catcher Taylor Howe threw out the leadoff baserunner at third base as Indiana State was able to tack on just one.
UE attempted a 2-out rally in the bottom half of the third. After Zoe Frossard was hit by a pitch, Hannah Hood doubled to left, but ISU pitcher Hailey Griffin was able to strike out the final batter to preserve the 3-1 lead. Excellent baserunning by Lacy Smith saw UE get back within a run. After reaching on a walk, she advanced to second on a ground out, third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Hannah Hood.
Hood’s defense played a pivotal role in the top of the 6th. With the lead runner on first, she caught a liner and threw the baserunner out for the double play to keep it at a 1-run game. That would pay off in the bottom of the 6th as Lacy Smith delivered the game-tying RBI single. UE looked for the go-ahead run but a close play at the plate proved to be the third out to end the inning. The teams battled it out into extra innings where the Sycamores got the jump. After putting runners on second and third with no outs, ISU picked up the go-ahead hit.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Aces worked their way back. Marah Wood hit a leadoff solo home run while Brooke Voss and Abby Bode reached base. Voss walked and advanced to third on Bode’s double. Smith came through in the clutch once again, doubling to left center to seal the walk-off win. Smith accounted for two of the Aces’ seven hits. ISU had 12 hits with Abi Chipps recording three.
Aces starter Sydney Weatherford threw four innings and allowed three runs on six hits. She did a nice job with runners in scoring position, limiting the ISU offense in multiple innings. Megan Brenton earned the win, going the final four innings with two runs, one earned, crossing the plate. It was her fourth win of the year.
Up next for UE is a home series this weekend against Valparaiso.
