March 9, 2009

Box Score

Boise, ID --- Megan Miller hit a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning, and pitcher Kandis Clesson made it stand up as Idaho State defeated the College of Idaho 5-3 in the State of Idaho Tournament at Boise State's Mountain Cove Field. ISU's final game of the tournament against Boise State was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Miller was the hero, going 3-for-4 on the day, driving in four. Her homer in the 10th off of Jody Zillner won it for ISU, but she also drove in ISU's only run in regulation with a fifth inning single that tied the game at 1-1. Miller also got ISU a run in the top of the eighth with a single up the middle, scoring Whitney Chaffe, who was placed on second to start the inning as the game used the international tiebreaker.

However, Miller's heroics might not have ever had the chance if not for freshman Jennifer Martensen. The rookie third baseman went 3-for-4 in the game with two more doubles, giving her five, but it was her defense that saved the day. With one out and runners on second and third in a 3-3 tie in the ninth, she grabbed a rocket off the bat of designated player Dani Villyard, and threw home, getting the speedy Kristen Haugen at the plate to keep the game tied. With runners at the corners, Clesson then got Haley Butcher to foul out to end the inning.

Idaho State trailed 1-0 after the Yotes scored in the third when Clesson walked back-to-back batters with two outs, forcing in a run. Miller tied it with her single in the fifth.

The game was the longest for Idaho State since April 1, 1983, when ISU defeated Weber State 2-1 in 18 innings, but that was before the international tiebreaker existed. The game was the longest since the program restarted, and it is the third time that ISU and the College of Idaho have played at least nine innings.

ISU rapped out 12 hits, with Martensen, Miller, and Caitlin McGrath all going 3-for-4, and Emily Hu also added two hits. Clesson allowed just seven hits in 10 innings, and only one earned run, striking out a career-high nine in the process, and tying the school record.

Idaho State now has a week off before heading back to Mountain Cove for a double header with Boise State on Saturday.

NOTES: McGrath now leads the team with a lofty .365 average, and Miller is right behind at .333 ... Clesson lowered her ERA to 3.41 ... Miller's four home runs this season ties for the third-most in school history for a season, and her five career is now tied for second ... eight of Martensen's 11 hits have been for extra bases ... Chaffe threw out Nikki Shumway stealing, ISU's sixth caught stealing of the year.