Creighton University
Illinois State
Kratochvil Carries Bluejays to 3-2 Game One Win
3/21/2009 2:30:00 PM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. - Laura Kratochvil crushed two home runs, including the game-winning walk-off shot in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Bluejays to a come-from-behind win over Illinois State in game one of Saturday's Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader. The Jays trailed 2-0 until Kratochvil's two-run shot to left field in the fifth. The senior catcher then broke the 2-2 tie with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending a fly ball just over the fence in right center field for the game-winning tally.
Niki Stansell led off the game with a bunt single and would move to third on a one-out ground-rule double by Casey Gorrell. With two outs, Jessie Buker grounded to third, but Liz McKewon threw wildly to first base and both Illinois State runs scored to give the Redbirds the early lead.
Bailey Dawson led off the bottom of the first inning with a single and the Bluejays loaded the bases with two walks in the inning. Sara Loeffelholz crushed a line drive to right field on the first pitch she saw with two outs and the bases loaded, but it was hit directly at ISU right fielder Beth Current and the Jays stranded three.
The Jays left one runner on in the third and two in the fourth inning before scoring in the fifth. With two outs, Renae Sinkler drew a walk and Kratochvil followed by hitting her first home run of the day. She connected on a deep fly to left field on a 1-2 pitch to tie the game at 2-2.
The Redbirds had a lead off single in the sixth, but stranded the potential go-ahead run at second base. The Jays similarly wasted a lead off single in the bottom of the sixth, failing on two sacrifice bunt attempts.
Kratochvil picked her teammates up again in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, she lifted the first pitch she saw just over the right center field wall and out of the reach of ISU's Current. The senior catcher, who had never hit more than two home runs in a season before this year, moved her team-leading total to five with the two-blast game.
Jessica Wakasugi also had two hits for CU in the game to combine with Kratochvil for four of the Jays' six hits.
Tara Oltman (10-5) pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and no earned runs, striking out eight and walking none.
Amber Smith (4-7) took the loss in game one for ISU. She allowed six hits and three earned runs to go along with five walks and three strike outs.
