Redbird Bats Explode In 15-5 Run-Rule Win In Series Finale At Drake
DES MOINES, Iowa – After being held to one run in each of the first two games of the series at Drake, the Illinois State offense exploded for a season-high 15 runs on a season-best 18 hits on Sunday as the Redbirds (12-25, 6-7 MVC) won the series finale over the Bulldogs (13-21, 5-7 MVC) at Ron Buel Field by a score of 15-5 in five innings.
The 15 runs scored by the Redbirds are the most since April of 2023 in a 15-6 win over UIC. The 15 runs top the previous high of 11 scored in a win over UIC.
BIRDS BITS (vs. Drake)
Offensive Highlights:
Ella Boyer: 4-for-4, 4 RBI
Bella Atkinson: 3-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI
Adisyn Hopkins: 2-for-3, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
Julia Larson: 2-for-3, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Addison Masching: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meeks: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3, ER, 5 BB, 2 K
Paige McLeod (W, 1-9): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Drake scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead, but the Redbirds got one back in the top of the second on an RBI single by Boyer to cut the lead in half at 2-1. The Bulldogs would answer with three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-2 advantage.
As action moved to the top of the third inning, the Redbird bats exploded for five runs on five hits to take a 6-5 lead. Wolford got the scoring started with a two-run single before Atkinson added an RBI single and Boyer added a 2-run single of her own to cap off the scoring. The top of the fourth inning would be much of the same for the Redbirds, as they scored four runs on seven hits to balloon the lead to 10-5. Larson got things started with an RBI double down the right field like that scored Masching and Atkinson would follow with a 2-run single to score Larson and Hopkins. Delainey Bryant would tack on the final run of the frame with an RBI single to second base.
The top of the fifth inning would once again see the Redbirds plate five runs, this time on four hits, to balloon the lead to 15-5. Hopkins started the scoring with her first home run of the season, a 2-run shot over the left field wall, to make the score 12-5 at the time. Atkinson would then drive in Wolford for the 13th run of the game and Boyer followed with her fourth hit of the contest to drive in Larson for run No. 14. The final run of the game would come in when Bella Wilkerson recorded an RBI groundout to plate Atkinson.
McLeod was stellar in relief of Meeks, as she pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of work giving up just two hits while striking out three to record her first win of the season.
ON DECK
The Redbirds travel to Iowa City on Tuesday to take on Big Ten Conference foe Iowa in a midweek non-conference matchup, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
Latest Softball News
- Redbirds Take Series Over Bears; Split Friday DoubleheaderWith the treat of inclement weather threatening the third and final game of the series on Saturday, Illinois State and Missouri State pivoted to a Friday doubleheader to complete their three-game set at Marian Kneer Stadium. The Redbirds (18-26, 11-8 MVC) picked up a win in game one by a score of 6-2 to secure the series win, before the Bears (14-30, 12-9 MVC) secured an 8-2 win in game two split the doubleheader.
- Offense Propels Redbirds To Series Opening Win Against The BearsHits came early and often for Illinois State on Thursday night in the first of a three-game set against Missouri State, as the Redbirds (17-22, 10-7 MVC) collected 15 hits and scored in all but two innings in an 8-4 victory over Bears (13-29, 11-8 MVC) at Marian Kneer Stadium. The Redbirds have now won their last six games and eight of the last ten overall.
- Redbirds Begin Homestand With MVC Series vs. Missouri StateThe friendly confines of Marian Kneer Stadium will play host to this weekend's softball series between Illinois State and Missouri State, as the Redbirds begin a seven-game homestand with a three-game set against the Bears.
- Meshnick Tosses Complete Game Gem To Lead ISU To Series Sweep At ValpoIllinois State headed to the Valpo Softball Complex on Sunday looking for its first series sweep in Missouri Valley Conference play and thanks to Hannah Meshnick got it, as the junior allowed just two hits in a complete game 5-1 victory for the Redbirds (16-25, 9-7 MVC) over Valparaiso (17-21, 6-11 MVC) to secure the sweep.
- Timely Hits Propel Redbirds To Series Win Against Valpo, 6-2It took a couple innings for the Illinois State offense to heat up on Saturday against Valparaiso in game two of the weekend series, but the Redbirds (15-25, 8-7 MVC) came alive with five runs combined in the third and fourth innings on some timely hits to come away with a 6-2 over the Beacons (17-20, 6-10 MVC) to take the series win.
- Redbirds Take Opening Game Of Series At Valpo, 2-1Valparaiso took a lead in the second inning against Illinois State in the opening contest of a three-game weekend MVC series on Friday, but the Redbirds (14-25, 7-7 MVC) answered with two runs in the top of the third inning and great pitching and defense allowed them to hang on for a 2-1 victory over the Beacons (17-19, 6-9 MVC).
