SPRINGFIELD, IL --- Freshman pitcher
Jaycee Craver went pitch-for-pitch with the best the country has to offer, throwing eight shutout innings before surrounding two runs in the ninth inning to top-ranked University of Indianapolis. Craver followed a 10-0 loss by shutting out the Greyhounds (38-1, 21-1) and keeping them off the bases, giving the Prairie Stars (16-24, 8-14) a chance for the upset. In game two, UIS ended up falling 2-0 in nine innings.
GAME ONE: UINDY 10, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 0
In the first of two games, UIndy came out and scored three runs in both the second and third innings to take a commanding 6-0 lead. It stayed this way until the sixth when they put up a four spot, which was enough for the run-rule to be put into effect.
The Prairie Stars had chances against ace, Morgan Foley (29-0) but couldn't convert, stranding seven baserunners on the game. Foley allowed just one hit in four innings but walked four and struck out just six.
UIS had two hits in the first game, both off the bat of
Brittany Miller.
GAME TWO: UINDY 2, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 0
The Prairie Stars put the pressure on early in the game, putting baserunners on in each of the first three innings. Miller singled in the first and both
Rachel Goff and
Ashli King singled in the second but neither time UIS was able to convert those into runs.
In the third,
BriAnna Edgar leadoff with a single before Miller and
Amanda Gosbeth connected for back-to-back singles to load the bases. This forced UIndy to bring in Foley, who didn't start the second game, who ended up striking out the next two batters to leave the bases loaded and end the threat.
From this point on, it was Craver vs. Foley, with the two aces going pitch-for-pitch for the next six innings. Craver faced 16 straight batters at one point without surrendering a hit and then retired six of the next seven after that.
In the eight, UIndy threatened but with first and second and nobody out, Craver retired the next three in order to end the threat.
Foley was unmatchable though, as she retired 14 of the final 15 outs via strikeout and had 17 total in just 6.2 innings.
Craver's final line totaled nine innings, seven hits, six strikeouts, and just two walks. She forced 14 groundouts and the Prairie Stars made just one error behind the great pitching performance. Miller again collected two hits in the second game to lead the way offensively.
UIS will continue a 14-game home stand with a mid-week doubleheader against Lindenwood before closing out the home portion of their season with Missouri S&T and Drury.
