NORMAL - It was far from Kamren Ferguson's best outing. The pitcher that may be the best ever to come from Clinton struggled on the mound Wednesday as the Western Illinois Leathernecks fell to the Illinois State Redbirds, 9-2 in the first of a nonconference double header.
Kamren struck out the Redbirds' leadoff hitter and got out of a first inning jam. But the ISU offense really came to life in the second. Shelby Music hit a two-run home run to open the scoring and Kara Nelson followed with a solo shot that inning.
The Leathernecks had a prime opportunity to make it a close one after scoring a run in the top of the fourth. But any chance of Kamren getting a win was thwarted when they left the bases loaded. WIU also stranded a pair of runners in the top of the third.
She was brought in to pitch in the fourth inning, but did not record an out and was pulled after only pitching three innings. She struck out three batters, but also gave up three home runs.
Kamren's replacement, freshman Kelsey Michelini, did not fare much better. Michelini gave up three runs in the bottom of the fourth as the Redbirds walked away with an easy victory.
Illinois State was also victorious in Game Two, blanking the Fighting Leathernecks 6-0.
Despite the loss, Ferguson is still having a great year in her final season in Macomb. She still has a chance to be named Summit League Pitcher of the Year, an honor she already garnered last year.
Photo: Western Illinois pitcher and Clinton native Kamren Ferguson (22) pitches for the Leathernecks' during their 9-2 loss to Illinois State Wednesday afternoon in Normal.
No comments:
Post a Comment