Big Third Inning Keeps 2014 Season Alive

Box Score FARGO, N.D. – An eight-run third inning propelled Western Illinois to a 10-4 victory over South Dakota State on Friday (May 9) to keep the 2014 season alive.

"That inning felt really good and the girls really fed off of that," said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "We talked about being in the now and the third inning was a perfect example of that. We can't worry about tomorrow or yesterday or last week or next year, we have to be in the now. We were up in the dugout and it was a great team win. Everybody did their job and we finally got that monkey off of our back."

Western Illinois fell behind early 3-0 off of three consecutive solo home runs by the Jackrabbits but the Leatherneck defense limited the damage with a double play to end the inning.

"The seniors set the tone today," Van Vlymen said. "They made sure the team was focused on the now and made them be accountable. They aren't ready to be done yet and they are going to do whatever it takes to continue playing this season."

Emma Jarrell sparked a one-out rally with a walk before scoring on an error in the first, cutting the lead to 3-1.

After Kayla Kirkpatrick worked a perfect top of the third, the Leatherneck offense came alive in the bottom half of the inning.

Briana Williams led off with a single and promptly stole second and scored when Sammy Marshall reached on an error from by the Jackrabbit pitcher. With runners at first and second, Lia Romeo hit her first of two doubles, scoring Marshall. Megg Kelly then singled in Teagan Walsh putting runners at the corners. After a Tierney Bottino RBI single, Karissa Kouchis hit her first career home run to center, breaking the game open, giving Western a 8-3 lead.

"Karissa was just trying to hit a line drive and she definitely hit a line drive," Van Vlymen said.

With two outs in the inning, Williams reached on an error and stole her 75th career base, passing Stef Ryan for second all-time in WIU history. Williams then scored on a Marshall RBI single to put Western in front 9-3.

SDSU threatened in the fifth, putting a runner at third, but Kirkpatrick forced a ground out and a pop out to end the inning. In the bottom half, Nina Maggio hit her first career home run, extending the lead to 10-3.

"Nina has been battling all year and she really fought in that at bat until she got her pitch. I was really proud of her and she came through," Van Vlymen said.

The Jackrabbits cut into the lead with a solo home run in the sixth and continued to threaten, but another double play swung momentum back in the favor of the Leathernecks.

Kirkpatrick (7-5) worked six innings, allowing only two runs on seven hits, earning the victory.

Western Illinois will face the winner of the South Dakota and North Dakota State, Saturday (May 10) at a time to be determined.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Sammy Marshall: SS; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

#14 Emma Jarrell: IF; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#11 Megg Kelly: IF; 5' 2"; Senior; R/R

#20 Briana Williams: UT; 5' 3"; Senior; L/R

#8 Lia Romeo: C/IF; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#6 Teagan Walsh: P/UT; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#27 Tierney Bottino: OF; 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

#24 Kayla Kirkpatrick: P; 5' 8"; Junior; R/R

#18 Nina Maggio: IF; 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R

#25 Karissa Kouchis: OF; 4' 11"; Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#10 Sammy Marshall
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: SS

#14 Emma Jarrell
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#11 Megg Kelly
: 5' 2"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#20 Briana Williams
: 5' 3"; Senior; L/R
: UT

#8 Lia Romeo
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: C/IF

#6 Teagan Walsh
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: P/UT

#27 Tierney Bottino
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#24 Kayla Kirkpatrick
: 5' 8"; Junior; R/R
: P

#18 Nina Maggio
: 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: IF

#25 Karissa Kouchis
: 4' 11"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF