2008 Woodie Awards
'Winds split against Southern Utah
Rob Amaefule
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Sports
The Western Illinois softball team was able to split Saturday's doubleheader match-up at home against Southern Utah, winning the first game 6-1 before falling in the second, 5-3.
The back-to-back contests took place a day after the first game of a three-game set was canceled Friday due to rain.
Saturday's first game was dominated by the near-flawless performance of sophomore pitcher Lori Pankratz, who allowed only one run, seven hits and five strikeouts during seven innings. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Furgala provided the early spark offensively, driving in three runs off a triple in the first inning.
Westerwinds (8-25, 6-7 Summit League) coach Holly Van Vlymen was pleased to see her team capitalize on golden opportunities.
"I was very happy with our approach, especially in the first game," Van Vlymen said. "I thought we were aggressive but still smart with our hitting, and Lori did a fantastic job for us on the mound. She executed her pitches well, changed speeds and located the ball around the corners of the strike zone."
Game 2 of the doubleheader proved to be more difficult for the Westerwinds, who were unable to score until the bottom of the fourth inning. At that point, Western scored two runs and took a 2-1 lead.
Southern Utah (16-30, 9-7 Summit) responded the next inning with a short rally of its own, helping it recapture the lead at 5-2.
Western attempted to create a late-inning surge in the seventh when freshman catcher Nikki Marinec scored off an extra base hit from Furgala. That was all the offense the Westerwinds could generate, as junior starting pitcher Courtney Jacobson was given a no decision in a 5-3 loss.
"We went into today trying to win both games, and it's a little disappointing that we didn't," Van Vlymen said. "Overall, I'm proud of the way our team competed today, and despite the loss, I felt that we improved on some small things, pitched really well and had some key, timely hits."
The split keeps Western one game under .500 in conference play, with a 6-7 record. However, Western's chances of making the Summit tournament are still at large, and Van Vlymen and her team have made earning a bid to the postseason their top priority.
"We still have a good chance in making the playoffs, and that's the plan for now, " Van Vlymen said. "We have a lot of home games coming up, so that should favor us big time."
The Westerwinds host Bradley in non-conference action Tuesday at 3 p.m., before traveling to Shreveport, La., for a three-game series against Centenary beginning Friday.
The back-to-back contests took place a day after the first game of a three-game set was canceled Friday due to rain.
Saturday's first game was dominated by the near-flawless performance of sophomore pitcher Lori Pankratz, who allowed only one run, seven hits and five strikeouts during seven innings. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Furgala provided the early spark offensively, driving in three runs off a triple in the first inning.
Westerwinds (8-25, 6-7 Summit League) coach Holly Van Vlymen was pleased to see her team capitalize on golden opportunities.
"I was very happy with our approach, especially in the first game," Van Vlymen said. "I thought we were aggressive but still smart with our hitting, and Lori did a fantastic job for us on the mound. She executed her pitches well, changed speeds and located the ball around the corners of the strike zone."
Game 2 of the doubleheader proved to be more difficult for the Westerwinds, who were unable to score until the bottom of the fourth inning. At that point, Western scored two runs and took a 2-1 lead.
Southern Utah (16-30, 9-7 Summit) responded the next inning with a short rally of its own, helping it recapture the lead at 5-2.
Western attempted to create a late-inning surge in the seventh when freshman catcher Nikki Marinec scored off an extra base hit from Furgala. That was all the offense the Westerwinds could generate, as junior starting pitcher Courtney Jacobson was given a no decision in a 5-3 loss.
"We went into today trying to win both games, and it's a little disappointing that we didn't," Van Vlymen said. "Overall, I'm proud of the way our team competed today, and despite the loss, I felt that we improved on some small things, pitched really well and had some key, timely hits."
The split keeps Western one game under .500 in conference play, with a 6-7 record. However, Western's chances of making the Summit tournament are still at large, and Van Vlymen and her team have made earning a bid to the postseason their top priority.
"We still have a good chance in making the playoffs, and that's the plan for now, " Van Vlymen said. "We have a lot of home games coming up, so that should favor us big time."
The Westerwinds host Bradley in non-conference action Tuesday at 3 p.m., before traveling to Shreveport, La., for a three-game series against Centenary beginning Friday.
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