Romshek leads ISU to MVC tournament win

Posted on May 13, 2016

By ISU Sports Information

CARBONDALE – Regan Romshek allowed two hits in seven innings, and hit a solo home run at the plate to lead the Illinois State softball team to a 2-0 victory over Evansville in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Thursday night in Carbondale.

A pitchers’ duel was expected between Romshek and Evansville’s Morgan Florey and the two did not disappoint. Florey allowed a leadoff single in the top of the first to Annie Heineman, but retired the next 12 batters, which took her into the fourth inning. Romshek was equally as good, keeping the Aces hitless through the first three innings.

Despite the lack of hits, both teams threatened in the early going. After Heineman singled to lead off the game, she stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. The Redbirds were unable to drive her in as Florey struck out two batters in a row to end the inning.

The Aces left a runner on second in the first and then put runners on first and third in the second inning after a pair of Redbird errors. However, Romshek made a backhand catch on a hard line drive back up the middle to end the inning and the threat.

With two outs in the top of the fourth, the Redbirds finally broke through against Florey. Riley Strandgard hit a double off the left field fence and scored on a bloop single from Allison Spence. Romshek allowed her first hit of the game in the bottom of the frame, but worked out of the inning with no damage done.

Evansville threatened again in the fifth, putting a pair of runners on with two outs. Romshek was able to get Morgan Lambert to pop up to short to end the inning. Romshek then added an insurance run for herself in the top of the sixth with a solo home run, her fifth of the season.

The senior saved her best for last, retiring the final seven batters she faced to secure the 2-0 victory. In seven innings, Romshek surrendered only two hits, while striking out six and walking two.

At the plate, Romshek hit a home run, while Heineman finished 2-for-4. Spence finished 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Strandgard and Jordan de los Reyes each recorded a hit.

ISU will take on UNI Friday at 1:30 p.m. The winner will move on to play second-seeded Drake in the semifinals.

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