Leathernecks surge past Cardinals, 6-2

WOODSTOCK, Ga.- Beth Golikto hit a three-RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning to seal a 6-2 victory for the Fighting Leathernecks over the defending Mid-American Conference champions Ball State on Friday evening.

“I love my team and love being out here,” said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “It's just great to be back in season and smell the dirt and the grass, I know we're all really excited to be playing outside again.”

After the Cardinals (1-1) got on the scoreboard in the top of the first, the Leathernecks (5-2) responded in the bottom of the second inning on a Nikki Marinec RBI single to left field to tie the game at one.

In the top of the third, Colleen Biebel and Julie DePolo trotted across home plate to give Western a two-run lead (3-1).

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Golitko drove in three more insurance runs as Lauren Furgala, Julia Katsaros and DePolo each scored a run. Ball State scored a run in the top of the seventh to cut their deficit to four (6-2), but it wasn't enough as the Leathernecks held on for their fifth win of the season.

“We did a great job of preparing ourselves to play in dirt for the first time,” said DePolo. “We had a good feel for what would come at us defensively and positioned ourselves well to make the outs.

Ball State and Western both collected eight hits in the contest, but the Leathernecks committed one less error (3-2) than the Cardinals. Eight Leathernecks collected a hit while Golitko chipped in three RBI and Marinec added one. DePolo led a group of five Western players who scored a run with two.

“Julie's extremely clutch for us right now and that's why she's in the second spot,” said Van Vlymen. “She always seems to come through for us and she's also one of our best defenders and a great all-around player.”

Lori Pankratz (3-0) picked up the win for the circle, throwing four strikeouts and only allowing one earned run in seven innings of action.

“Nikki Marinec called a great game for us once again behind the plate,” said Van Vlymen. “Kamren and Lori both did a great job today of keeping hitters off balance. We just look like a fine-tuned machine right now and the girls are having a lot of fun.”

The Leathernecks continue day two of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament tomorrow morning against Tennessee Tech at 9:30 a.m. (CT) and against Middle Tennessee State at 5 p.m. (CT).

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Players Mentioned

#8 Lauren Furgala: IF; 5' 3"; Senior; S/R

#15 Lori Pankratz: P/IF; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#25 Julie DePolo: IF; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#12 Nikki Marinec: C; 5' 8"; Junior; R/R

#9 Colleen Biebel: OF; 5' 2"; Junior; L/R

#23 Julia Katsaros: OF; 5' 3"; Freshman; L/L

Players Mentioned

#8 Lauren Furgala
: 5' 3"; Senior; S/R
: IF

#15 Lori Pankratz
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: P/IF

#25 Julie DePolo
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#12 Nikki Marinec
: 5' 8"; Junior; R/R
: C

#9 Colleen Biebel
: 5' 2"; Junior; L/R
: OF

#23 Julia Katsaros
: 5' 3"; Freshman; L/L
: OF