Box Score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior
Sarah Fobbs drove a two out, walk-off RBI single up the middle to lift the EKU softball team to a 5-4 win over Illinois State University on Friday at Ulmer Stadium.
With momentum on the Colonels' side, Fobbs belted the game winner up the middle as
Kayla Joyce crossed the plate to give the Colonels their 15th win of the season.
EKU (15-5) trailed 4-3 with three outs remaining. Singles from
Johnkyria Alston and
Brooke Harrison early in the seventh gave EKU life in the home half of the final inning.
However, back-to-back outs momentarily dampened the Colonels' chances. Joyce then reached on a fielder's choice as the Colonels had both Alston and Harrison in scoring position as EKU looked to clinch the win.
With two away, freshman
Hannah Clark took the 0-1 pitch down the right field line scoring Harrison and tying the game at four to put Fobbs at the plate for the game-winner.
Illinois State (8-16) took its first lead of the game in the top of the seventh to break a 3-3 tie on an RBI single from Riley Strandgard with two outs put the pressure on the Colonels.
The Redbirds had two aboard in the top of the fourth with two outs, but senior pitcher
Hayley Flynn and the EKU defense stood tall as Flynn abolished the attempt with her third strikeout of the game to end the inning and the threat.
The Colonels gained momentum in the bottom half of the fifth, as they took a 3-0 lead.
Paige Murphy raced down the first base line to beat out the bunt, before
Sarah Jackson reached on a fielder's choice, putting two on for the Colonels with no outs.
Alston followed with an RBI single to center to score Murphy giving EKU a 1-0 lead.
Amber Murray rendered a sacrifice bunt back to the mound, putting two in scoring position. The strategy paid dividends for the Colonels.
Joyce drew a base on balls to load the bases, before Clark nailed a two-run single to center field, which gave EKU a 3-0 lead.
A three-run sixth from Illinois State evened the score at three after a two RBI single from Caitlyn Daly and an RBI double from Parker Bandy.
Alston went 3-for-3 on the day with one RBI for EKU, as Clark finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Flynn notched her 10th win of the season, logging six and one-third innings and four strikeouts in the win.
EKU will face Louisville on Saturday at Ulmer Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
