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Western Illinois University Athletics

Emily Ira
8
Winner Western Illinois WIU 4-10
0
Canisius CAN 2-11
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
4-10
8
Final
0
Canisius CAN
2-11
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 3 3 2 8 10 0
Canisius CAN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

W: Ira, Emily (2-6) L: Mackie, Erika (2-5)

0
Western Illinois WIU 4-11
8
Winner Miami MIAMI 7-5
Western Illinois WIU
4-11
0
Final
8
Miami MIAMI
7-5
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
Miami MIAMI 3 1 1 2 1 8 8 1

W: LOGEMANN, Amber (4-4) L: Hart, Kacyee (2-5)

Game Recap: Softball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Emily Ira Pitches No-Hitter as Western Splits on First Day of Miami Invitational

Leathernecks move past Canisius 8-0, fall to Miami of Ohio 8-0, in two five inning games Saturday

OXFORD, Ohio – Emily Ira pitched a no-hitter as the Western Illinois softball team topped Canisius by a score of 8-0 in the first game of the Miami Invitational on Saturday (March 5) in five innings. The Leathernecks dropped the second game to Miami of Ohio by a score of 8-0 to move to 4-11 on the season.
 
"I thought Emily did a great job. We talked before the game about what was working and a few minor adjustments she needed to make. As we went through the lineup she worked ahead and the pitches were working and they were moving," said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "She did a great job and I was very proud of her and her mindset, and how she threw today."
 
GAME ONE: Western Illinois 8, Canisius 0
 
Ira was dominant from the circle as she pitched Western's first no hitter since Kamren Ferguson on March 22, 2010. The freshman also struck out a career-high nine batters, including retiring seven straight in the complete five inning performance.
 
The bats came alive for Western in the top of the third when Rachel Beatty hit a double and was driven home by Karissa Kouchis in the next at bat. After Tierney Bottino reached on a fielder's choice, she made it home safely after Aly Compton launched a double to left field. Compton would score after Payton Abbott reached on an error and at the end of three innings the Leathernecks held a 3-0 lead.
 
In the top of the fourth, Beatty hit a two-out triple to center field and Kouchis walked. The next at bat, Bottino hit a three-run home run over the left field fence to give Western the 6-0 advantage.
 
The Purple and Gold added two more runs in the top of the fifth as Kelsey Marlow hit a one-run double to left center that scored Holly Hoelting who walked earlier in the inning. Nina Maggio hit a sacrifice fly to center field that would score Abbott who reached base on a single up the middle.
 
Canisius could not answer in the bottom of the fifth and the Leathernecks went on to take the 8-0 victory. Kouchis, Abbott, and Beatty each led the team with two hits apiece, while seven different Leathernecks drove in runs.
 
GAME TWO: Miami of Ohio 8, Western Illinois 0
 
The tables turned for the Leathernecks in game two, as the Redhawks hit two home runs in the bottom of the first to take 3-0 lead.
 
Western had an opportunity to respond in the next inning when Taylor Messer hit a single to right field, and Maggio and Beatty drew walks, but all three were left stranded at the end of the inning.
 
It was all Miami after that, as the Redhawks would hit two more home runs and worked their way to an 8-0 victory after five innings. Maggio, Messer, and Compton each had one hit to lead the team. Beatty, Maggio, and Hoelting each drew walks. Kacyee Hart got the start and pitched two innings with four hits, five walks, and five earned runs. Brooke Stulga came in for relief, pitching two innings with one strikeout, four hits and two earned runs.
 
"Tomorrow we have to come out and be ready to go from the very beginning for two tough games," added Van Vlymen. "Everybody needs to take advantage of all the opportunities they're going to get whether it'd be pitching, hitting, or on defense and we hope to wrap up this weekend with two more wins."
 
Western takes on Canisius and Miami of Ohio tomorrow on the final day of the Miami Invitational. First pitch against Canisius is set for 9 a.m. CT, followed by the finale against the Redhawks at 2 p.m. 
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