TEMPE, Ariz. – A four-run sixth inning helped Illinois State (4-6) grab its fourth win of the season, as the Redbirds topped North Dakota (3-7), 6-2, to finish 3-2 overall at the Littlewood Classic.
On the very first pitch of the ball game, Shannon Felde was drilled with a pitch to make it on base, but the Fighting Hawks starting pitcher sent the next three Redbirds down in order. Illinois State's first hit of the game came from Riley Hale in the top of the second, who dropped a one-out double into centerfield. The junior made her way to third base on a passed ball but would she would be left stranded.
North Dakota jumped on the board in the bottom half of the inning to take a one-run lead over the Redbirds. Outfielder Kori Mesecher opened the third inning for Illinois State reaching first base on a Fighting Hawks error. The junior made her way around the bases to tie the game up. In the next at-bat, Allison Spence bombed her second home run of the tournament and the season to put the Redbirds out in front. North Dakota threatened in the home half of the inning with a pair of singles, but the Redbird defense stood firm to help Illinois State escape the inning.
Hale's bat continued to stay hot, as she hit a single to the shortstop to lead off the fourth inning. Riley Phipps registered her first hit of the game to right field, but both runners would be left on base. The Fighting Hawks responded in the bottom of the fourth, tallying back-to-back singles of their own and finding a way to get into scoring position. With bases loaded, North Dakota walked in a run to knot the game at two-all.
In the top of the sixth, Mesecher hit a two-out single to left field to start some offensive momentum for the Redbirds. A double down the left field line by Felde brought Mesecher home, while she advanced to third. Alex Caliva was issued her second walk of the game to put runners on the corners for Illinois State. Spence stepped back up to the plate and converted once again, hitting a double into centerfield to bring home Felde and Caliva, forcing a North Dakota pitching change.
The Redbirds went unfazed by the switch in pitchers, as a single up the middle by Riley Strandgard scored Kadi Borries, who entered the game to pinch run for Spence. Illinois State's fifth and final hit of the inning came from Alyssa Wiebel, as the Redbirds held the 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. Starting pitcher Sarah Finck and the Redbird defense sent the Fighting Hawks down in order to keep the four-run lead going into the final frame. Finck finished the game with a season-high five strikeouts for her third win of the season.
North Dakota hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh, but the runner would be left stranded to help the Redbirds secure the 6-2 victory to close the tournament.
Illinois State will be back in action next weekend when it returns to Florida, this time for the Aquafina Invitational in Gainesville. The Redbirds are set to square off against Georgia Southern, Iowa State, Maryland and the nationally ranked Gators for a second time this season.
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