DES MOINES, Iowa – It was a chilly night in Des Moines for the series opener between Illinois State and Drake, which was delayed an hour due to rain in the area earlier in the day. Unfortunately for the Redbirds (11-24, 5-6 MVC), the Bulldogs (12-20, 4-6 MVC) scored in three-straight innings to pick up a 4-1 win over the Redbirds at Ron Buel Field.

BIRDS BITS (vs. Drake)

Offensive Highlights: 
Addison Masching: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB
Adisyn Hopkins: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Julia Larson: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-3

Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (W, 6-10): 4.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Hannah Meeks: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

HOW IT HAPPENED
After two scoreless innings to start the game, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the third inning. However, in the top half of the fourth inning, the Redbirds would tie the game on three hits. With one out, Masching doubled to left field and then advanced to third on a single by Wolford. Masching would then score on the third straight hit for the Redbirds, this one off the bat of Hopkins, to tie the game at 1-1. Drake would answer with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead, and then blew the game open with a two-run home run in the fifth inning to make the score 4-1. The Redbirds would threaten in the top of the seventh inning, however the Bulldogs held on for the win in the series opener.

ON DECK
The Redbirds and Bulldogs will play the second game of the three-game set on Saturday at 2 p.m., before the series finale on Sunday at noon in Des Moines.

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