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Western Illinois University Athletics

Emily Ira FP vs. NDSU SL Champs (May 11)
6
Winner Western Illinois WIU 7-21
0
Murray State MUR 9-15
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
7-21
6
Final
0
Murray State MUR
9-15
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 1 0 3 0 2 6 13 0
Murray State MUR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

W: Ira, Emily (3-6) L: Campbell, Haven (6-7)

Game Recap: Softball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Ira Pitches Gem; Leathernecks Strong at the Plate In Win

WIU beat Murray State 6-0 in final game of Rock Chalk Challenge

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Emily Ira tossed a near perfect game on Saturday morning, allowing her only hit with two outs to go in the bottom of the seventh inning in the Leathernecks' 6-0 win against Murray State. The victory stops a 10-game skid for Western Illinois and 13 Leatherneck hits were the most hits since March against UNCW (15).
 
"It is all about bouncing back. We needed momentum today and Emily (Ira) gave it to us," said head coach Beth Golitko. "It was all about trusting each other and keeping it simple at the plate. We talked about staying focused on the process and staying relaxed and the outcome will be what we need it to be. We took the pressure off of ourselves and the bats came alive."
 
After two scoreless innings, the Leathernecks took the lead in the third inning after Hailey Duwa singled with the bases loaded to give Western Illinois the 1-0 advantage. However, the Leathernecks could not manufacture any additional runs as they left three runners on base in the third frame.
 
In the fifth inning, Ashley Minyard singled before Madison Boone hit a ball off of the top of the center field wall to score her and push the Western Illinois lead to 2-0. Boone has now plated runners in back-to-back games, her only two starts of the season.
 
The Leathernecks were not done in the fifth frame, as a throwing error by the Racers' second baseman brought home Boone. During the following at-bat, Ira showed her prowess at the plate, as she singled up the middle to extend to 4-0.
 
The final Leatherneck runs came in the seventh inning that began when Aly Compton launched a ball to right field for her first triple of the season to bring home Ira. Compton scored when she tagged from third on a deep fly ball to center field to extend the Leatherneck lead to 6-0.
 
Ira ended with a complete game, giving up one hit and striking out nine Racer batters. Minyard led the charge at the dish, going 3-for-3, and was joined by Jasmine Lara and Sam Ralphs who also recorded multi-hit games.
 
Western Illinois wraps up non-league play on March 21 at Bradley. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.  
 
 
 
 
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