FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Western Illinois senior
Amy Douglas was 2-for-3 with a game-winning double and two RBIs in the doubleheader opener against Arkansas, and
Samantha Valentine was 2-for-4 in the nightcap, leading the Westerwinds to a pair of victories (3-1, 2-1) over the Lady Razorbacks, Wednesday.
“Our team came out today ready to win two and they did just that,” Western Illinois head coach
Holly Van Vlymen said. “Amy and Sam did a nice job at the plate. They went up to the plate with confidence and took advantage of their at bats.”
Game one remained scoreless until the sixth inning when the Lady Razorbacks (10-19) managed to put one run on the board off three hits. In their final time at bat the Westerwinds (5-11) battled back, when Douglas doubled to right center with two runners in scoring position. Douglas then scored off a
Britt Mason single to lead the Westerwinds to a 3-1 victory over the Lady Razorbacks.
Senior
Kim King recorded her first win, bringing her record to 1-3, while Arkansas' Katy Henry suffered the loss bringing her record to 7-8. Western Illinois freshman
Lori Pankratz recorded her first win after pitching the second game. Pankratz (1-2) struck out three and allowed only four hits in 26 batters faced.
“Kim and Lori both pitched great games,” said Van Vlymen. “We really put hits together when we needed to at the plate today--it was a true team effort.”
Scoring Valentine off a Douglas single, Western Illinois put the first run on the board in the fourth inning of game two. The Westerwinds added one more run in the sixth to take a 2-0 lead over the Lady Razorbacks. Arkansas scored one run in the seventh off a Dayna Huckabee triple, but couldn't quite catch Western Illinois.
On the day, Western Illinois recorded 12 hits, three doubles and five RBIs and only two errors.
“We're going to take these wins into this weekend and approach this tournament with a lot of confidence and energy,” Van Vlymen said.
Western Illinois will resume non-conference competition, Mar. 16-18, in Columbia, Mo., at the Tiger Invitational hosted by Missouri.
