Leathernecks split first two games at Coach B Classic

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Western Illinois softball split its first two games of the Coach B Classic Saturday, beating tournament host Southern Illinois-Carbondale in its first game before falling to Southern Illinois Edwardsville in the nightcap.

Game 1: Western Illinois 2, Southern Illinois 1

Western Illinois junior Beth Golitko hit a walkoff homerun in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Fighting Leathernecks a 2-1 win over the Salukis.

After losing a 1-0 lead in the previous inning, Golitko said she was just trying to reach base and get in scoring position. She managed expedite the process, however, with her first homerun of the season and the third of her career.

“I was just hoping to get on base, because I knew the team would be able to hit me in. I didn't expect to hit a walkoff homerun,” Golitko said. “It really felt good.”

The win marked the Leathernecks first win over SIU-C since 1997, ending a four-game losing streak against the Salukis.

“It was definitely a goal of ours to come out and beat them because they are such a good team,” said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “They've got a lot of tradition here. You want to beat those good teams.”

Golitko managed to end the game the same way senior Julie DePolo started it — by knocking one over the fence. DePolo led off the game with a solo shot over the left field wall to give Western an early 1-0 lead, which it held over the next four innings.

Both offenses were held in check through the middle innings behind strong pitching performances. Leatherneck ace Kamren Ferguson held tough despite three errors by the Western defense.

“(Ferguson) was a rock out there. She was calm and kept with the defense,” Van Vlymen said. “She just pitched a great game and I am so proud of her right now.”

Ferguson worked her way out of jams throughout the game, finishing with eight strikeouts and just three walks while allowing one run on four hits. The Salukis' lone run came on an RBI single by Allie Hanson in the sixth inning, but Golitko broke the tie with a swing of her bat in the seventh inning.

Game 2: SIU-Edwardsville 2, Western Illinois 1

Golitko's RBI single in the top of the sixth inning tied the game at 1-1, but SIU-E responded in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single by Samantha Stanicek to provide the go-ahead run in a 2-1 Cougar win.

“We didn't come through. We had runners in scoring position and we just didn't come through with hits,” Van Vlymen said of the Leathernecks' nine stranded baserunners for the game.

SIU-E struck first in the game when Stanicek reached base on an error by the Leatherneck defense and later scored on an RBI by Chaleen Rumpf. Despite the early setback, Western played error-free ball throughout the remainder of the game to back up senior pitcher Lori Pankratz.

Pankratz struck out three batters and walked two while allowing one earned run on seven hits in a complete game effort. Her only earned run came in the sixth when Laurie Siebert hit a double and Stanicek singled her home.

Lauren Furgala paced the Leathernecks offense going 2-for-4 from the plate with a double and one run scored.

Western Illinois moved to 8-4 overall after the first day of the Coach B Classic. The Leathernecks will conclude the tournament with a 9 a.m. game Sunday against Kansas and a 1 p.m. game against Illinois-Chicago.

“We just need to come out tomorrow and play ball like we need to play,” Van Vlymen said. “They are coming out just a little anxious. We'll come back tomorrow and be fine.”

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Players Mentioned

#22 Kamren Ferguson: P; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

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

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

#7 Beth Golitko: OF; 5' 7"; Junior; L/L

Players Mentioned

#22 Kamren Ferguson
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: P

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

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

#7 Beth Golitko
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/L
: OF