March 7, 2009
Box Score
Boise, ID --- Freshman Cristin Martin settled down after a shaky start where she allowed four runs in the first two innings to mow down the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders in the middle innings, which was enough time for ISU to record another comeback victory, this time 8-5 in the State of Idaho Tournament in Boise.
The Bengals improved to 4-9 on the season, and picked up their second win in the tournament. ISU was able to take advantage of some shoddy Crusader defense as NNU committed seven errors, which opened the door for ISU to score eight runs, seven of those unearned.
ISu got an nunearned run in the top of the first when Jessica Baca grounded into a fielders choice, but shortstop Haley Hevern committed the first of her four errors in trying to force Caitlin McGrath at second. McGrath would later score when Kaylie Neal-Jones walked with the bases loaded.
NNU got that run back quickly in the bottom of the frame, with one run scoring on a passed ball and the other on a single by Cathrine Lowery. NNU then made it 4-1 in the second when Hevern and Brooke Hesselgesser led of the second with back-to-back homers, but Martin settled in nicely after that, allowing just three scratch singles over the next 5 2/3 innings, allowing ISU a chance to comeback.
That started in the fifth, when ISU netted four runs for a 5-4 lead in an ugly defensive inning for the Crusaders. Megan Miller led of the inning reaching second when left fielder Sarah Varady dropped a fly ball for an error. McGrath singled behind her, moving Miller to third, and then McGrath stole her fourth base of the year. Baca singled in Miller to make it 4-2, with McGrath going to third, and then Baca into scoring position on a wild pitch. Martin reached on a fielder's choice as NNU tried to cut down the run at the plate, but McGrath slid around the tag, making it 4-3. Martin then stole second, and Neal-Jones drew another walk to load the bases.
NNU finally got an out when Emily Hu grounded into a field's choice with Baca forced at the plate. Kristin Armstrong then tied the game on a ground out, and Neal-Jones gave ISU the lead for good on a wild pitch.
ISU made it 6-4 in the sixth when Neal-Jones drew her fourth walk of the game, and second with the bases loaded, scoring McGrath, and ISU added two more in the seventh when Miller doubled home Armstrong and McGrath singled home Miller.
That lead held up, despite a two-out homer in the seventh by Catherine Lowery, giving Martin her first collegiate win. McGrath was a star for ISU, going 3-for-5, scoring three runs, driving in one, and stealing a base. ISU went 4-for-4 on the basepaths in the game.
NOTES: Neal-Jones's line was 0-for-0, 1 run, 2 RBI as she walked in all four appearances, and it marked the second time in three starts she reached base safely every time in a game, going 1-for-1 with two walks in ISU's 3-2 win on Friday ... Martin allowed seven hits as NNU actually outhit ISU 7-6 ... Martin was also called for an illegal pitch, the first balk in ISU's modern history ... Idaho State is now 14-for-15 in steals this year ... ISU had a strange lineup shuffle late in the game as pitcher Kandis Clesson came in to play first base, moving Casey Plowman to catcher. Brittany Olsin started at catcher in place of regular catcher Whitney Chaffe, who is taking part in graduate school interviews in Arizona this weekend.
