Rough Stretch

The Sycamores have had a rough week to begin conference play, as they opened up on the road at three-time defending regular season MVC champion Creighton last weekend before welcoming in-state rival Butler to Price Field during the week. In Omaha, Saturday's double header was canceled due to snow and cold temperatures, changing the three game series to a two game double header on Sunday. In the opener, Creighton used Sr. pitcher Tara Oltman - already the only three time MVC Pitcher of the Year winner in league history - to keep the Sycamores in check in a 6-0 Bluejay victory. While the score seems heavily favored toward Creighton, Indiana State left the bases loaded in both the 1st and 2nd innings, as they were unable to get a clutch hit to get on the board. In the contest, ISU stranded 12 base runners. Game two saw the Sycamores jump out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning off the bat of Bailey Wittenauer, as she hit a 3 run home run with one out in the 1st inning. A critical error in the bottom of the first, however, allowed Creighton to tie the game at three without getting a single hit. ISU jumped back in front in the 4th inning off a 2 run home run from Stephanie Jonson, but Creighton would scratch back with single runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th to get the 6-5 victory. Oltman again got the win, throwing the final three innings. For the double header, she held the Sycamores scoreless for 10 innings, as ISU dropped to 0-2 in MVC play to start the season.
Creighton Website Story on the double header
Wednesday, the Butler Bulldogs came to town with a 19-4 record to play a double header. Again, ISU was able to get out to an early lead, this time off the bat of Lindsey Beisser, as she hit a 3 run home run in the bottom of the 1st to push ISU to a 3-1 lead. Butler was able to score off three ISU pitchers in the contest, winning the high scoring game by a final score of 14-7. Bulldog Erin Falkenberry hit two home runs in the game - a grand slam and a two run shot - to lead the Bulldog offense. Game two was more of a pitcher's contest, as both teams utilized their #1 pitchers. Butler was able to get three unearned runs, while the ISU offense was held scoreless by Butler's Jenny Esparza in a 3-0 loss. For the day, Esparza threw 10 scoreless innings for the Bulldogs, striking out 20 Sycamores. The losses dropped ISU to 11-10 on the season.
Terre Haute Tribune Star Article on the Butler double header
GO SYCAMORES!