Illinois State Falls To UNI In Second Game of Series, 12-4
NORMAL, Ill. – After the first inning of play, it looked as if Illinois State and Northern Iowa would be locked in a back-and-forth game similar to the first of the series on Friday, however the Panthers (28-16, 16-7 MVC) scored five runs in the second inning to run away from the Redbirds (19-28, 12-10 MVC) by a score of 12-4 in six innings at Marian Kneer Stadium on Saturday.
BIRDS BITS (vs. UNI)
Offensive Highlights:
Adisyn Hopkins: 1-for-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI
Julia Larson: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3, 1 R
Abby Knight: 1-for-3, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (L, 4-10): 2.0 IP, 6 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Gracelyn Kemp: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Hannah Meshnick: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers jumped out to big lead early, scoring four runs in the top of the first thanks to a three-run home run off the bat of Lappe to make the score 4-0. However, the Redbirds would battle back in the bottom half of the first inning, as Larson drove in a run on a ground out and Hopkins plated two with a double to right center field to cut the UNI lead to 4-3. The Panthers the blew the game open in the top of the second inning, scoring five runs while taking advantage of two Redbird errors to go up 9-3. UNI would tack on another run in the top of the fourth inning to make it 10-3 and then two more in the top of the sixth inning to bring the score to 12-3. ISU would plate a run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI groundout by Hopkins, but it was not enough as the Panthers picked up the 12-4 six-inning run rule win.
ON DECK
The Redbirds and Panthers will play the final game of the weekend series at Marian Kneer Stadium on Sunday, with first pitch schedule for Noon CT. Following the game, the Redbirds will honor their four seniors in a postgame ceremony for Senior Day.
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