NORMAL — With the Illinois State softball season on the line and ace pitcher Sarah Finck having just worked seven tough innings, Coach Melinda Fischer turned to sophomore Ali Domkuski.
The Normal Community High School graduate did not record a strikeout, but held Michigan State at bay during a five-hit shutout as the Redbirds prevailed, 6-0, Thursday in the Region 3 championship game of the National Invitational Softball Classic at Marian Kneer Stadium.
The Spartans had earlier rallied for a 4-3 win to force a second game to decide the double-elimination event.
"We battled back well.