Redbirds Take Opening Game Of Series At Valpo, 2-1
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Valparaiso 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).
Illinois State has now won its last three games and now sit at .500 in the league standings at 7-7.
BIRDS BITS (vs. Valpo)
Offensive Highlights:
Delainey Bryant: 2-for-4, 1 R
Abby Knight: 2-for-4, 1 R
Addison Masching: 1-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Adisyn Hopkins: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (W, 7-10): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Paige McLeod (S, 1): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first inning, Valpo took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single to make the score 1-0. The Redbirds would answer in the top of the third inning, however, as Masching doubled in a run with one out to tie the game at 1-1 and then Adisyn Hopkins drove in the go-ahead run on an RBI groundout to second base that scored Knight. From there, it was all pitching and defense as both teams got out of jams, particularly the Redbirds who threw a runner out at home and got another Valpo baserunner picked off to end a scoring threat in the bottom of the sixth. McLeod came in and secured the win in the circle with her first save of the season to get the Birds the win in the series opener.
ON DECK
The Redbirds and Beacons will square off again in the second game of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Valpo Softball Complex.
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Latest Softball News
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