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Western Illinois University Athletics

Kirkpatrick 2015
WIU Visual Productions Center
5
Winner Western Illinois WIU 17-21
3
Omaha Mavericks OMAHA 21-27
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
17-21
5
Final
3
Omaha Mavericks OMAHA
21-27
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 5 11 0
Omaha Mavericks OMAHA 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6 0

W: Kirkpatrick, Kayla (6-8) L: Hinrichs (12-13) S: Walsh, Teagan (3)

Game Recap: Softball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Kirkpatrick Sets the Tone in Western's Win

Kayla Kirkpatrick allowed two hits over the first six innings in the Leathernecks' 5-3 win on Saturday (May 2).

OMAHA, Neb. – Western Illinois defeated Omaha 5-3 on Saturday (May 2) to begin a three-game series with the Mavericks. Kayla Kirkpatrick allowed just two hits through the first six innings paving the way for the Leathernecks.

"I was really proud of how are team came out today," said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "Kayla had a great performance on the mound and Teagan came in and closed it out. Our defense was stellar today. Everybody was on today defensively. We put hits together when we needed to and our base running was on point. I was really proud of our girls and the way they performed in every area."

The Leathernecks (17-21, 7-9) put themselves in a position to go in front early after Teagan Walsh and Tierney Bottino recorded consecutive base hits, but both runners were left on the bases as the top of the first inning came to a close.

Western did take the lead in the top of the third off of a Bottino sacrifice fly that scored Karissa Kouchis. Kirkpatrick allowed her first base hit to lead off the third inning but would not let her past second. The senior then got out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth to keep Western in front 1-0.

In the sixth, Lia Romeo and Holly Hoelting both reached to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Nina Maggio brought in Alexis Ensminger, who ran for Romeo, and Hoelting to put Western in front 3-0.

After retiring the Mavericks in order in the fifth, Kirkpatrick struck out a pair of batters and stranding two, sending Western into the seventh with a 3-0 lead.
The Leathernecks led the seventh off with three straight singles, capped by an RBI single from Bottino to bring in Marshall. After a Hoelting single, Kelsey Marlow collected an RBI on a fielder's choice, increasing Western's lead to 5-0 as the game entered the bottom of the seventh.

The Mavs made it interesting with a pair of home runs, but Walsh came in and recorded the final two outs, securing the 5-3 victory.

Hoelting scored a run and collected three singles. Marshall, Walsh and Bottino all had two base hits while Bottino and Maggio each drove in two.

Kirkpatrick allowed three runs on five hits while striking out three in her sixth win of the year. Walsh recorded her third save of the season.

"Kayla has done a nice job working on her pitches and staying consistent," Van Vlymen said. "She doesn't let hits shake her and she's been a great pitcher for us this season"

The Leathernecks and Mavericks close out the series with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. on Sunday (May 3).  
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