Timely Hits Propel Redbirds To Series Win Against Valpo, 6-2
VALPARAISO, Ind. – It 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.
The win was the fourth in a row for the Redbirds, and the series win is the third for the Redbirds in MVC play (Bradley, UIC, Valpo).
BIRDS BITS (vs. Valpo)
Offensive Highlights:
Delainey Bryant: 2-for-3, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 BB
Julia Larson: 2-for-3
Ella Boyer: 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B
Tatum Wolford: 1-for-4, 1 2B, 3 RBI
Addison Masching: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Abby Knight: 1-for-4, 1 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (W, 2-9): 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Hannah Meeks: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Wolford busted the game open in the top of the third inning, when she cleared the based with a 3-run double to give the Redbirds a 3-0 lead. ISU would then tack on a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning, when Boyer scored on an error and when Bryant crossed the plate on an RBI double off the bat of Masching that made the score 5-0 after the fourth. Valpo would get a run back in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the Redbird lead to 5-1, but the Redbirds would get that run back in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single by Knight to center field which made the score 6-1. Valpo answered once again in the bottom of the sixth with a run, but Meeks would come on in relief of McLeod to secure the Redbird victory and the series win.
ON DECK
The Redbirds and Beacons will play the series finale on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for noon at the Valpo Softball Complex.
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 Athletics News
- ISU Extends Lead Heading to Final Day at MVC ChampionshipThe Illinois State women's golf team has extended their lead over the field at the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Championship to 20 strokes with 18 holes to play, as the Birds look to be the first school to win back-to-back conference titles since the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
- ISU Climbs to Second at Close of Hawkeye InviteIllinois State carded a final-round 290 – the second-lowest in the field on the day – as the Birds climbed two spots into second at the finish of the tournament, closing as the runner-up at the 2025 Hawkeye Invite at Finkbine Golf Course.
- Pacella Earns MVC Player of The Week HonorsFollowing a stellar four-game stretch, junior Daniel Pacella was awarded MVC Player of the Week honors as announced by the league office Monday.
- Birds Fall to UIC in Windy City, 5-2The Illinois State women's tennis team (12-7, 5-2 MVC) fell to the UIC Flames (14-4, 6-1 MVC) on Sunday by a score of 5-2 inside XS Tennis Village.
- Redbirds Get Balanced Effort in Strong MVC Opening RoundThe Illinois State women's golf team had its top four players finish the opening 18 holes among the top nine golfers in the field, and the Redbirds take an eight-stroke lead into the second round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship tomorrow morning.
- Redbirds Go Low in Second Round in IowaBehind a low second round score, the Illinois State men's golf team has climbed to fourth at the Hawkeye Invite.
