EVANSVILLE, Ind.. – Seven home runs and two complete games in the circle led Illinois State to two wins over Evansville on Saturday afternoon, extending the Redbirds' Missouri Valley winning streak to 14 games.
A 10-run third inning and a Sarah Finck one-hitter paved the way for game one's 18-0 shutout win in five innings. Despite an Evansville run in the first inning, Illinois State's momentum continued into game two, tallying three home runs in an Ali Domkuski complete game for the 10-1 win in six innings.
With three home runs in the doubleheader, Jordan de los Reyes reset the Illinois State career home run record now with 54 during her tenure. Caitlyn Daly matched her Saturday total with three gone-balls in game one. Daly's seven RBIs in the premier game tied the Illinois State single-game record. Allison Spence slugged the Redbirds' first grand slam in two seasons in the second game of the day.
"Just a great offensive production today," head coach Melinda Fischer said. We played two solid ballgames. We had great pitching from both Sarah and Ali. We had consistent hitting throughout the lineup. Caitlyn Daly really stepped up and had a day for us. Jordan, what can you say? That's just awesome."
The Redbirds earned their 30th win of the season and 20th MVC win to hold 30-17 and 20-3 records, respectively. The Aces fall to 20-29 and 11-12 in league play. Illinois State and Evansville conclude the series on Sunday with an 11 a.m. first pitch.
Game One: W, 18-0 (5 inn.)
Four home runs and a Finck one-hitter gave the Redbirds their 13th consecutive Missouri Valley win with the 18-0 decision. Both Daly and de los Reyes went 3-for-3 with seven and five RBIs, respectively.
The Redbirds jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Riley Hale took first on a hit pitch before de los Reyes brought her home with single to left.
Illinois State continued to attack in the second inning, scoring five runs on a pair of extra base hits and a sac-fly. Daly belted her second home run of the season to left, scoring three runs. A Shannon Felde RBI-double and a de los Reyes sac-fly upped the score to 6-0 by the end of the second.
The Redbirds' offense exploded in the third inning with 10 runs on six hits and a pair of Aces' miscues. After an Annie Heineman double, Daly rocketed her second gone-ball of the day to center. Alex Caliva singled before a pair of walks loaded the bases to set up for de los Reyes' two-run double to center. Riley Strandgard and Heineman plated Illinois State's 10th and 11th runs, respectively on an error and walk before two more runs scored on an Evansville failed pickoff and an error. Daly's second home run of the inning and third of the day cleared the bases, upping her RBI total to seven – tying an Illinois State single-game record.
In the fourth, de los Reyes slugged her record tying home run to center to match 2008-11 alum Abby Olson's Illinois State career home run record. The Redbirds capped off the game with a run in the fifth after a pair of walks and an Anni Borries single, plating Stephanie Thulen.
The Aces' lone hit came on two outs in the bottom of the fifth by Tess Hupe through the left side. However, Finck closed out the game with a strikeout – the same way she started her second career one-hitter.
Finck tossed her 21st win of the season and her 24th complete game. Evansville's starter Morgan Florey took the loss in 2.0 innings of work.
Game Two: W, 10-1 (6 inn.)
The Aces struck first with a Florey RBI-single through the left side to take a one-run lead in the first inning. However, that would be the first and last Evansville run of the day.
In the third inning, the Redbirds picked up where the left off from game one, scoring four runs with three hits. Two walks and Hale single loaded the bases, setting the stage for Spence's grand slam – the Redbirds' first since March 21, 2015.
Caliva's hit-by-pitch and Hale's single down the right line set up for de los Reyes' record breaking hit in the fourth inning. On a full count, de los Reyes rocketed her 53rd career home run straight back for the Illinois State career home run record, surpassing Abby Olson's 52 dingers during her 2008 to 2011 career.
Evansville's Brittany Hay knocked a single to left in the bottom of the inning but the Redbirds' would keep her on the bases. Â
After a leadoff walk, de los Reyes secured the six-inning win with a two-run home run to left center.Â
Domkuski fanned five batters in her fourth complete game of the season, earning her fourth win of the season.
The Redbirds conclude the series versus the Purple Aces on Sunday at 11 a.m. Up next, Illinois State wraps up the regular season, hosting Northern Iowa on May 6 and 7 at Marian Kneer Stadium.
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