Series finale set for Sunday at noon
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Solo home runs from Jenna Nink and Marah Wood, strong pitching and big-time defensive plays around the diamond, helped the University of Evansville softball team take down Illinois State by a score of 3-2 at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Nink registered her sixth homer of the season while Wood picked up her fourth. Erin Kleffman made the start on her Senior Day with one run scoring in her four innings of work. Sydney Weatherford earned her sixth win of the year, tossing two frames of 1-run ball. Megan Brenton threw a scoreless seventh on the way to her sixth save of 2023.
Evansville’s defense was the first to make a statement, coming through in a big way to prevent an Illinois State run in the top of the seconds. With two outs and runners on first and second, the Redbirds picked up a base hit to left field and sent the baserunner home. Zoe Frossard’s accurate throw was grabbed by catcher Taylor Howe, who made the tag and ended the inning.
In the bottom of the third, UE broke the scoreless tie when Marah Wood drilled a 1-out home run to left center. It extended her hit streak to 11 games and marked her fourth homer of 2023. It did not take long for ISU to rebound as they put two runners on with no outs. A sacrifice fly brought in the tying run before Erin Kleffman pitched out of the jam.
Entering the game in the top of the 5th, Sydney Weatherford struggled with the opening three batters as each would get on base. Facing the bases loaded, no out situation, Weatherford regrouped and limited the damage to just one run with the Redbirds going up 2-1.
Jenna NInk wasted little time in tying it right back up. With UE facing its first deficit of the afternoon, her leadoff home run in the bottom of the 5th tied the score. Pinch hitter Brooke McCorkle followed up with a double as Sydney Kalonihea reentered and would score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from Alexa Davis.
Brenton took to the circle in the 7th and two runners would reach with one out. Appropriately enough, it was the defense shining once again, forcing a game-ending double play to seal the win. Both squads recorded seven hits on the day with Willsey picking up two.
Following the game, seniors Hannah Hood and Kleffman were recognized as well as Alyssa Barela, who played her final season at UE in 2022. The team also recognized senior members of the Illinois State team.
The teams will battle it out for the series on Sunday with first pitch set for 12 p.m.
