WICHITA, Kan. – In six innings of work Western Illinois senior
Kim King gave up zero earned runs to Nebraska, but it wasn't good enough to take the win from the Huskers, who defeated the Westerwinds 4-1 in the first game of the 2007 Shocker Classic hosted by Wichita State.
“Kim pitched a tremendous game,” said Western Illinois head softball coach
Holly Van Vlymen. “Not giving up any earned runs against a team like Nebraska is awesome.”
Western Illinois was the first on the board when
Julie DePolo reached on an error by the first baseman. After she stole second and advanced to third on another Nebraska fielding error,
Jennifer Garcia singled up the middle to score DePolo.
The Huskers (12-7) answered back when Nebraska's Kimberly Fullerton came out in the bottom of the second to hit a home run with two on base, taking a 3-1 lead over the Westerwinds (3-6). Two innings later Nebraska scored a final unearned run to secure the win and hold Western Illinois scoreless for the rest of the game.
In the circle, Nebraska's sophomore pitcher Molly Hill recorded the win taking her record to 4-4, giving up only four hits and one run to the Westerwinds. King suffered her second loss of the season, only giving up three hits, four walks, and striking out four.
Garcia led at the plate going 2-for-3 with one RBI and
Nicole Green and
Lindsey Hession both went 1-for-3.
Going through three pitchers in as many innings,
Kamren Ferguson started at the mound in game two versus Wichita State. After giving up two runs on four hits,
Christine Drankiewicz came in as relief and gave up three runs on five hits in the second inning.
Courtney Jacobson took over the mound in the third inning to hold the Shockers scoreless and only allowing one hit for the remainder of the game.
“Courtney pitched a tremendous game,” said Van Vlymen. “Five innings and only one hit is a great game.”
In the bottom of the fifth, Wichita State led 7-0, and Garcia, once again, singled up the middle to score Hession and DePolo.
Garcia and DePolo took the only hits of the game from Wichita State's Margo Pruis (5-5), who recorded her fifth win of the season. Ferguson (2-2) suffered her second loss. Garcia went 3-for-6 on the day with three RBIs.
Western Illinois will have another opportunity to even up the weekend series with Nebraska and Wichita State, starting with Nebraska at 10 a.m. and finishing day two with host Wichita State at 3 p.m.
