GRINNELL, Iowa – Illinois College freshman pitcher
Sydney Hood was named the Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday, following a weekend in which she went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in victories over Ripon College and St. Norbert College.
Weather has had a big impact on Illinois College's schedule thus far, so on Saturday afternoon, the Lady Blues were making their return to the field after two weeks off. Hood showed no signs of rust, firing a complete game three-hitter with six strikeouts to silence Ripon in a 3-1 win. The lone run for the Red Hawks scored when they were able to get a runner on third and score on an infield single.
Likewise, St. Norbert's only run on Sunday came from an infield single. Other than that one hiccup, Hood was rarely troubled by the Green Knights and the Lady Blues did enough offensively to break a 1-1 tie and come away with a 4-1 win. St. Norbert could total just six hits while striking out four times in the game.
Hood (4-3, 1.44 ERA) and the Lady Blues have a busy week ahead, with four road MWC doubleheaders scheduled between now and next Tuesday. First up is an April 9 doubleheader at Monmouth College, scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.
