Thursday night at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium, those in the stands did their best not to blink.
Otherwise, they might have missed the Wildcats’ return home.
In a performance that led to assistant coaches skipping their way off the field while the players sported wide grins, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ completed an 8-0, five-inning run-rule victory over North Dakota in one hour and seven minutes.
Freshman Paige Dimler raced home on a wild pitch to finish the win which “felt professional,†according to coach Caitlin Lowe. It was just what the Wildcats needed to soothe the sting of Sunday's 10-2 loss to No. 1 Oklahoma to wrap up the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California.
“They came out and handled their business,†Lowe said. “They took care of everything. Offensively, defensively, pitching-wise, it was a good win.â€
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Sophomore first baseman Carlie Scupin once again powered the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ offense.
The lefty slugger finished a triple away from the cycle, blasting a changeup to the right-center field stands for her team-leading seventh home run. Scupin admitted “it felt good to hit that pitch†after seeing it earlier in the at-bat.
“Her biggest development this year is her ability to make the adjustment within an at-bat,†Lowe said. “She can recognize what a pitcher is trying to do and really adjust to it. That’s a huge sign of maturity and a big deal, especially for those people hitting behind her.â€
Three other Wildcats recorded an extra-base hit, including both Sophia Carroll and Dimler, who came into the game hitting below .250.
It was a much-needed moment for the whole team, which had just two run-rule victories since it opened the season with back-to-back dominant performances over Southern Utah. For some perspective, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ had 11 run-rule victories in non-conference play last season and eight in 2020.
“We needed a run-rule tonight,†Scupin said. “We came out and took care of business. I’m proud of us.â€
Of course, the quick night wouldn’t have been possible without a strong performance in the circle.
Freshman Madi Elish picked up her second win in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s last three games, allowing just two hits with three strikeouts on 49 pitches in the five-inning shutout. She retired the last 13 batters in order, following a two-out first-inning triple by Madi Moore, dropping her ERA below 1.00.
“She competes her tail off every time and that’s all we can ask for,†Lowe said. “The thing that I thought was huge for her today was she got hit a little bit early and then came back and shut them down.â€
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ resumes play at 6 p.m. against Iowa State on Friday, before playing a doubleheader Saturday against Boise State and Texas State. All the games are part of Wildcat Invitational, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s third of four home tournaments this season.
