URBANA, Ill.--
Krista Menke tossed her sixth shutout of the season and
Martiza Lopez-Portillo went 2-for-2 with two walks and a RBI as North Dakota State University defeated the University of Illinois 3-0 in a single-game played Tuesday, March 17 at Eichelberger Field.
NDSU (18-5) is scheduled to play DePaul University (7-15) in a single-game at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 in Chicago.
Menke, a 5-foot-11 senior from Friend, Neb., limited Illinois (8-16) to six hits in the complete game win. She struck out 10, hit one batter and issued no walks, taking advantage of a consistent defense.
Menke reached double-figure strikeouts for the 13th time this season and 20th time in her career. She also notched her 27th career shutout.
The Fighting Illini's biggest threat came in the top of the bottom of the sixth when Allie Bach doubled to lead off the frame. However, Menke recorded a pair of strikeouts and induced a foul out to end the threat.
North Dakota State scored twice to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
Alex Sobrero led off with an infield single, moved up two bases on a passed ball and wild pitch, and scored on
Cheyenne Garcia's fielder's choice.
Alyssa Reina then followed with a double to left center to put runners on second and third.
Amanda Grable grounded to third during the next at-bat. The throw went home to force out Garcia. Grable then rounded to go to second base and draw another throw. Grable was safe, Reina then took off for home and slid under the tag to score.
NDSU tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning.
Grable led off with a double to right center. Pinch-runner
Courtney Johnson scampered to third on a wild pitch and scored on Lopez-Portillo's RBI single.
Grable went 3-for-4 with a double to spark the Bison nine-hit offense. Reina had a double and single, while Sobrero and Lopez-Portillo each added a pair of hits.
Jade Vecvanags (2-4) went the distance for Illinois and picked up the loss. Vecvanags struck out seven and walked five. Alyssa Gunther led the Illini with a pair of singles.
