May 13, 2011

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri Sports Information

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Ohio Valley Conference Co-Freshman of the Year Tiffany Harbin threw a no-hitter to lead second-seeded Jacksonville State (39-18) to a 4-0 win over fifth-seeded Southeast Missouri (29-29) Friday afternoon at the OVC Tournament.

Harbin, who fell one out shy of pitching a perfect game, retired 21 of the 22 hitters she faced. She sat down the first 20 Redhawk hitters before issuing a two-out walk to Carmen Fowler in the top of the seventh.

JSU's offense gave Harbin all the support she would need when it capitalized on two Southeast errors to score four unearned runs in the first inning.

Krystal Ruth reached on an error and went to second on a bunt single by Kelci Johnston. Amanda Crow flied out to right on the next play and Ruth went to third. Another error and one-out RBI-singles by Abbey Stepp, Sallie Beth Burch and Hayden Crawford gave JSU an early 4-0 lead which held up in the end.

Harbin (24-9) also recorded five strikeouts in her remarkable performance.

Alora Marble (17-8) suffered the loss after giving up five hits and four runs (all unearned) in two-thirds of an inning.

Taylor Cowan pitched the rest of the way, allowing only two hits in 5.1 innings of work. Cowan finished with two strikeouts, as well.

Southeast was last no-hit by then-No. 12 Missouri on Mar. 7, 2009.

JSU batted around in its big first inning and finished the game with seven hits. Johnston paved the way with a game-high two hits.

Southeast will face Eastern Illinois in an elimination game at 10 a.m., CT, Saturday.