Cute Taylor and April Schermann combined for all of Illinois States runs, smacking two two-run homers apiece but it was not enough to hold off the Westerwinds as the Redbirds fell to Western Illinois 5-4 in non-conference softball action Wednesday.
The single game in Macomb was the third straight game for ISU where it lost by a single run. With the score tied going into the bottom of the seventh, Shannon Goebel doubled to bring home the game-winning run as Katie Pickens crossed home after hitting a single to reach base.
The Redbirds got the lead early, leading by two the top of the first inning. Taylor stepped up with her fourth homer of the year and drove home Becky McMurtry who was hit by a pitch.
ISUs lead did not hold as WIU scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning after a double by Dani Hoffman and a single by Bridget Maxwell set the stage for a homer by Pickens.
Western Illinois took a two-run lead after scoring another run in the fourth inning but Schermanns home run, her third of the year, in the fifth tied the score.
The Westerwinds finished strong, however, driving in the winning run in the final stretch with one out. With the win, WIU improved to 27-16 while the Redbirds are 26-16 heading into their final home series this weekend against Missouri Valley opponent Northern Iowa.
Corey Harris suffered the loss on the mound for ISU, her seventh of the year. She allowed only the one run in the seventh while starter Audra Rast, who pitched 3.2 innings, got the start and gave up four runs, three earned, while striking out five.
Besides Taylor and Schermann, who each were 2-of-4 with two RBI on the day, Katie Shifflet had two hits for Illinois State while Jenni Neeley contributed one hit.
The Panthers of UNI will meet the Redbirds this weekend for a three-game series starting at noon on Saturday at the Redbird Softball Complex. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday before a single game on Sunday where before the game begins at noon, the 2001 seniors will be honored.
