Offense Propels Redbirds To Series Opening Win Against The Bears
NORMAL, Ill. – Hits 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.
BIRDS BITS (vs. Missouri State)
Offensive Highlights:
Bella Wilkerson: 3-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBI
Julia Larson: 3-for-4, 2 R
Lexie Griffin: 3-for-4, 2 R
Abby Knight: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Addison Masching: 2-for-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Delainey Bryant: 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (W, 9-10): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Hannah Meeks: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds jumped out to an early lead on an RBI single off the bat of Masching that scored Bryant for the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. The Birds would add another run in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single through the left side from Wilkerson that scored Griffin. Missouri State would then take the lead at 3-2 after a three-run third inning, but the Redbirds would regain the advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Wilkerson drove in her second run of the game to tie things up at 3-3 and then Abby Horton scored on a wild pitch to put the Redbirds up 4-3. The Redbirds then blew the game open with a four-run fifth inning, with RBI singles by Wilkerson and Bryant and a two-run single by Abby Knight that made the score 8-3. The Bears would cut the ISU lead in half at 8-4 on solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, however that would be as close as they would get as Meshnick and Meeks closed things out to secure the win in the series opener.
ON DECK
The Redbirds and Bears will play a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium. The second game of the day will follow approximately 35 minutes after the completion of the first contest.
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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.
- 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).
- MVC Road Swing Continues At Valparaiso For The RedbirdsWinners of six of its last eight games, Illinois State will continue its conference road trip this weekend in Indiana when the Redbirds take on Valparaiso in a three-game set at the Valpo Softball Complex.
