AMES, Iowa - Kelsey Michelini tied a career-high with six strikeouts and allowed just one run in 6.0 innings but Western Illinois was unable to score in a 1-0 loss to Creighton at the Iowa State Cyclone Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 13.
The Fighting Leathernecks (0-5) were able to get runners in scoring position on several occasions but the Bluejays (4-1) were able to hold off Western Illinois in the final game of the weekend for both teams.
Colleen Biebel reached second base on an error by Creighton left fielder Ellen Homan with one out. Biebel would advance to third on Michelini's single in the next at bat but was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice one batter later.
Ashley Campbell would strike out swinging with Michelini on second base to end the inning.
Creighton threatened in the bottom of the inning when Christa Ruf hit a leadoff double but was thrown out at third base on a fielder's choice with one out. Michelini struck out the final batter of the inning to end the threat.
The Leathernecks would again move a runner into scoring position following Nikki Marinec's single to start the second inning. Megan Kelly moved Marinec to third with a sacrifice bunt in the next at bat before Hannah Frenell popped up to the shortstop.
Beth Golitko's single moved the runner to third with two outs but Michelle Prieto would ground out to end the inning in the next at bat.
Neither team would see much offensive production until the fourth inning when Creighton looked to score following Brittanee Grove's two-out double. Brittnie Kreiser reached first base on a walk before Danielle Christiansen grounded out to first base to end the inning.
After retiring the Leathernecks in order in the top of the fifth inning, Creighton was able to get a runner on base with a one-out single by Jennifer Bohle.
Bohle attempted to score on Liz McKewon's two-out double but was erased at home on Biebel's throw from center field.
The Leathernecks went down in order in the top of the sixth and Creighton took advantage by plating one run in the bottom of the inning.
Amy Baker struck out swinging for the first out but the Bluejays were able to get a base runner on McKenna Setlik's walk in the next at bat.
Grove was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out before her twin sister, Malloree, loaded the bases with a single.
Blair Lowe, who entered the game to pinch run for Setlik, was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice in the next at bat. Danai Martin's RBI-single would plate the only run of the game with two outs as Brittanee Grove scored from third.
The Bluejays were unable to score another run despite having the bases loaded as Jennifer Bohle grounded out to third base to end the inning.
Western Illinois looked poised to tie the game when Marinec singled with one out in the top of the seventh. Kelly drew a walk in the next at bat to put runners on first and second with just one out but Hailey Bickford and Beth Golitko were retired in order to end the game.
Michelini (0-2) took the tough-luck loss, allowing just one earned run on seven hits while walking two. Marinec led the Leathernecks at the plate with a 2-for-3 effort.
Becca Changstrom (3-0) got the win in relief, allowing just one hit in 3.0 innings while walking one and striking out four. Sammy Snygg started in the circle for the Bluejays and surrendered three hits while recording three strikeouts in 4.0 innings.
Ruf paced the Creighton offense with a 2-for-3 performance. The Bluejays recorded seven hits to Western's four and committed one error while the Leathernecks were perfect in the field.
Creighton left eight runners on base during the contest while the Leathernecks left six runners stranded.
Western Illinois will return to action at the Auburn University Tiger Invitational this coming weekend. The Leathernecks open the tournament with a doubleheader on Friday (Feb. 18).
The team will face McNeese State at 5:30 p.m. before taking on Western Carolina. Western Illinois will take on Auburn on Saturday before closing out the weekend with a game against Campbell on Sunday.
