CONWAY, Ark. – The second day of action at the Milisa Moore/Shane Lamb Tournament was a tough one for Illinois State, as the Redbirds dropped a 9-1 decision to Omaha in the first game of the day and then suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Central Arkansas in the second contest of the day at Farris Field.

BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Omaha)

Offensive Highlights: 
Julia Larson: 2-for-3, 1 SB
Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-2, 1 RBI
Abby Knight: 0-for-1, 1 BB, 1 R

Pitching Breakdown:
Gracelyn Kemp (L, 0-2): 2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Hannah Meeks: 2.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Hannah Meshnick: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds took the first lead of the game in the top of the second inning, when Knight walked, stole second and then scored on an RBI single by Wilkerson to make the score 1-0. ISU held onto that lead until the bottom of the third inning, when the Mavericks scored four runs on four hits and an error to go up 4-1 midway through the game. Omaha would then score five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game away and earn a 9-1 win in game one of the day.

BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Central Arkansas)

Offensive Highlights: 
Addison Masching: 1-for-3, 1 R
Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3
Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-2

Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (L, 0-6): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
Hannah Meshnick: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears got on the scoreboard first with an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning to go up 1-0 early. Two innings later, the Redbirds tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning after Masching led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ella Boyer and later scored on a throwing error by the UCA pitcher. However, Central Arkansas would answer with three runs on four hits in the bottom half of the inning to take a 4-1 lead, which is where the score would stay.

ON DECK
Illinois State has one more game remaining at the Milisa Moore/Shane Lamb Tournament, a 12 p.m. CT contest against host Central Arkansas on Sunday.

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