MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois softball (13-13, 5-1 Summit League) used
13 hits and a stellar pitching performance from Hailey Bickford to cruise past
South Dakota State (4-12, 0-6 Summit League), 13-1, in five innings Saturday
(March 17). The Fighting Leathernecks outscored the Jackrabbits 29-6 to sweep
the home-opening series and have won seven consecutive games.
Megan Kelly hit her fourth home run of the season in the
first inning, a three-run shot to deep center field. KC Dunne (1-for-3) had
three RBIs while Sammy Marshall (4-for-4), scored three runs and stole five
bases. Marshall is a perfect 33-for-33 in stolen bases this season, which is the
second highest single-season total in program history.
Emma Jarrell (1-for-3) drove in two runs while Teagan Walsh
(2-for-3), Ashley Campbell (2-for-2) and Lia Romeo (1-for-3) all scored two
runs. Bickford (4-6) went the distance for the Leathernecks, allowing just one
run on five hits. She struck out seven Jackrabbits, which ties her season-high.
Western's six-run first inning was highlighted by Kelly's
three-run home run. Marshall flipped the first pitch she saw over the shortstop's
head to extend her hitting streak to 10 games. She then stole two bases before
trotting home on Dunne's sacrifice fly to centerfield. Goss doubled just
inside the right field line and Romeo dribbled one up the middle to put runners
on the corners for Kelly. Kelly's fourth home run of the season sailed deep
over the centerfield fence.
Following a SDSU pitching change, Campbell and Walsh both
pushed singles through the right side and Williams was hit by a pitch to load
the bases with two outs. Marshall chopped one off the shortstop's glove to
drive in Campbell and Walsh.
Two walks in the second inning set the table for Campbell,
who singled up the middle to score Romeo. Walsh followed with a single off the
first baseman's glove and Kelly trotted home. After Walsh stole second, Jarrell's
single was bobbled by the centerfielder and two more runs came across to make
it 10-0. With two outs, Marshall reached on a bunt single and Dunne drove in Jarrell
and Marshall with a line drive off the centerfielder's glove.
SDSU got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a
double and single off Bickford. Western responded with a run of its own in the
bottom half of the inning. Marshall reached on bunt single with two outs, stole
two bases and trotted home on a throwing error by the SDSU catcher.
Western is back in action Wednesday (March 21) as the
Fighting Leathernecks play host to in-state opponent Illinois Chicago. First
pitch from Mary Ellen McKee Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.
#WIUAthletics
