The Tribune-Star
WICHITA, Kan. —
Freshman Abbie Malchow’s first career home run was a highlight but Indiana State couldn’t overcome an early deficit in Missouri Valley Conference softball Sunday, losing 6-3 to Wichita State in the rubber game of a three-game series.
“We are young and inexperienced in a number of areas,” coach Shane Bouman said afterward. “These kids are working very hard and are dedicated to improve Sycamore softball. It is sure going to be nice to be at home next weekend.”
The Shockers jumped on top with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but Morgan Allee manufactured a third-inning run for ISU when she was hit by a pitch, stole second, took third on an infield out and scored on an error.
Wichita added three more runs in the bottom of the third, however. Malchow’s homer cut the lead to 6-2 in the fifth and the Sycamores added another run in that inning when Megan Bunting singled, Ashley Dickerson was hit by a pitch, Meredith Henriksen reached on an error and Halee Myers got a pinch-hit single.
The bases were left loaded, however, as the Sycamores stranded 10 runners for the game. Malchow and Bunting had two hits each.
Now 10-15 for the season, 1-2 in the MVC, the Sycamores play their 26th straight road game Wednesday at Eastern Illinois before finally opening at home with a noon doubleheader Saturday against Missouri State.
Baseball
• Paris wins opener — At Broadlands, Ill., a two-out, two-run single by Hunter Morris in the top of the seventh inning put visiting Paris ahead, and the Tigers went on to an 8-4 high school victory over East Central on Saturday.
Alex Elmore added two hits and struck out seven batters in four innings for Paris, with Jake Whitacre getting the win in relief.
Paris 000 020 6 — 8 7 3
East Central 021 001 0 — 4 4 5
Elmore, Whitacre (5) and Morris; East Central battery unavailable. W — Whitacre, 1-0.
Highlights — For Paris, Alex Elmore was 2 for 3 and had 7 strikeouts in 4 innings; Hunter Morris was 1 for 2 with a 2-run single that drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh; Riley Spencer was 1 for 4 with a double; and Jake Whitacre was 1 for 4 and was winning pitcher in relief.
Next — Paris (1-0) hosts Westville today. East Central is 0-2.
• Engineers canceled — Play Sunday at the Rose-Hulman Invitational was canceled by cold weather. The Engineers begin Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday at Mount St. Joseph.
