Aces set for final home weekend
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Sydney Weatherford tossed a complete game shutout and Niki Bode picked up a late 2-run single to help the University of Evansville softball team earn a 3-0 win over Indiana State on Wednesday at Price Field.
Weatherford allowed just three hits while fanning three batters on the way to win #7 of the season. The Purple Aces recorded six hits on the day with Taylor Howe going 2-3 with a double and two runs scored.
Pitching was the story as both starters were lights out with the game being scoreless after four innings. Indiana State had the first hit of the day on a leadoff bunt in the first while Hannah Hood’s 1-out double in the top of the second was the first hit of the contest for UE.
As the game progressed, it was obvious that runs would be a premium and Evansville was the first to score on a fluke play that was keyed by heads-up baserunning. Taylor Howe reached on a 1-out double. Up next was Lacy Smith. After striking out, Smith hustled to first on the dropped third strike and forced a throwing error by the Sycamores catcher. Howe scored all the way from first to break the scoreless tie.
In the top of the 7th, UE came through with two important insurance runs. Marah Wood and Howe recorded back-to-back singles with one out. Howe stole second to put two runners in scoring position for pinch hitter Niki Bode. The freshman came through with a single to right center to score both runners and make it a 3-0 game.
From there, Weatherford got the job done as she retired the side in order to clinch the victory.
UE returns home this weekend for its final home series of the season against Missouri State.
