Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—The Indiana State softball team overcame an early deficit to take a lead into the seventh inning but Evansville took advantage of Sycamore defensive errors to defeat ISU 6-5 in the series rubber match.

The Purple Aces jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, aided by a Sycamore dropped foul ball to take the early advantage.

In the bottom of the frame the Sycamores answered. Senior Kelsey Montgomery drew a leadoff walk before junior Rylee Holland hit a bunt single. Junior Erika Crissman then reached on an error to load the bases before junior Brooke Riemenschneider reached on a fielders choice in which the Aces failed to record an out to make it 4-1.

After a strikeout, senior Abbie Malchow singled to right field to score Holland and cut the Aces advantage to 4-2.

In the bottom of the third, the Sycamores struck once again as Malchow crushed a two-out solo home run to center field to cut the Aces lead to 4-3. Freshman Shaye Barton then singled and stole second before scoring on a double by freshman Bailey Martin to tie the game at 4-4.

The very next inning, junior Erika Crissman put the Sycamores in front with a solo home run to left center field to give ISU a 5-4 lead.

The Sycamores carried the lead into the seventh before the Aces struck again. After a leadoff single and fielders choice, the Aces droved one into center field for a single and a Sycamore fielding error to score one run before taking the lead on a sacrifice fly.

The Sycamores couldn't answer in the bottom of the seventh as they fell in the series finale, 6-5.

The Sycamores will return to action Tuesday when they travel to Loyola for the finale of the three-game series against the Ramblers.