Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—The Indiana State softball team used a seven run fourth inning to back pitchers Taylor Lockwood and Bailey Benefiel as the Sycamores shutout Butler in an 8-0, five inning victory in their home finale Thursday.

Senior pitcher Taylor Lockwood got things started in the circle, throwing three perfect innings to open the game before sophomore Bailey Benefiel entered the circle in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom half of the fourth inning, the Sycamore bats came alive as senior Kelsey Montgomery led off with a single before junior Rylee Holland drew a walk. Junior Erika Crissman then got the Sycamores on the board with a two-RBI double to right center to give ISU a 2-0 lead.

After a pop out, senior Abbie Malchow hit a triple to right field to make it 3-0, Indiana State before a walk and hit by pitch loaded the bases with just one out.

Senior Alexa Cavin then hit an RBI single before junior Mary Turrito plated another run on a fielders choice. Montgomery then reached on a bunt single for her second hit of the inning before Holland walked to score another Sycamore run. Junior Erika Crissman then made it a 7-0 Sycamore lead with an RBI single.

The Sycamores then finished the Bulldogs off in the bottom of the fifth when senior Abbie Malchow reached on an error and advanced to third on a double by freshman Shaye Barton. Freshman Monique Castillo then drew a walk before Cavin hit the game ending RBI single up the middle to give the Sycamores the 8-0, five inning victory.

Sycamore pitching held the Bulldogs to just two baserunners in the victory.

With the win, the Sycamores notch their fifth shutout of the season and first combined shutout. The Sycamores will return to action this weekend when they wrap up the regular season at Missouri State. The winner of the three-game series will advance to the Missouri Valley Conference championships in Carbondale, Ill. next week.