Sophomore Becky McMurtry was 2-for-2 with two triples and one RBI to lead the Illinois State softball team to a 3-1 victory over Queensland Under 19s in the Redbirds final game in Australia Thursday.
McMurtrys triples were two of ISUs five hits, while Redbird pitchers held Queensland to three hits. Sophomore Corey Harris was the starting pitcher for ISU and through five innings, she gave up two hits and no runs, striking out five. Sophomore Audra Rast followed Harris on the mound and struck out nine while allowing Queenslands only run.
Illinois State ended its trip with a 9-1 overall mark, suffering its lone loss in its first match on Jan. 3. The Redbirds return to Normal on Friday, Jan. 12, after their first international trip under head coach
Melinda Fischer, who said the entire experience was unbelievable.
We have had such a good time, no one really wants to even come back, Fischer said with a hint of humor. But this was an experience no one on this team will forget. It showed what these girls are made of and what we have to look forward to when our spring schedule starts.
ISU opens its intercollegiate season Feb. 9-11 at the 2001 Bama Bash, a tournament hosted by Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
