Jacks fall to Leathernecks in Summit opener

Friday, May 14

Fargo, N.D.

2 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Western Illinois

5/14/2010 5:00:00 PM | Softball

By: SDSU Sports Info

FARGO, N.D. - Ashley Durazo opened South Dakota State's first-ever Summit League tournament game with a double down the right field line, but Western Illinois starter Kamren Ferguson only allowed two more hits, as the Leathernecks downed the Jackrabbits 4-0 in the first game of The Summit League Championships in Fargo, N.D.

"I thought Kori (Seidlitz) threw a great game, and even though they're a great hitting team, I think we had our chances to hold them to fewer runs," SDSU head coach Joanna Lane said after the game. "When push comes to shove though, the game came down to Ferguson, and I think we were just too passive against her at the plate."

The loss drops the Jacks to 19-31 on the season and puts them in an elimination game against either IPFW or North Dakota State on Saturday at 6 p.m. The top-seeded Leathernecks improve to 34-17 with the win.

Western scored the only two runs it would need in the first inning, using three hits and one SDSU error to go up 2-0.

The Leathernecks put the game away with two more runs in the fifth on a two run homerun by Ashley Campbell that put WIU up 4-0.

In addition to her game-opening double, Durazo added a single to finish the game 2-for-3. Dani Broshar picked up the other Jackrabbit hit and finished the game 1-for-3.

Ferguson struck out eight and walked none in the complete game win to boost her record to 21-10. SDSU starter Kori Seidlitz gave up the four runs on six hits with two strikeouts and no walks. She falls to 14-17 with the loss.