Abbie Scott went 3 for 4 for the Redbirds helping Illinois State to pull off their second win of the weekend over Southern Illinois, 5-3, giving them the No.1 spot in the Valley standings.
Scott tried to start an offensive rally in the third inning, hitting a ball that looked as if it would be her third home run of the season; only it caught the top half of the fence bouncing back inside the park for a double, her sixth of the year. The Redbirds couldnt come up with a run to break the tie, still leaving the game 0-0.
The Salukis scored their first three runs of the game in the bottom of four, starting with back to back singles by Katie Jordan and Kelly Creek of Southern Illinois, each earning an RBI. Another score came across the plate after a shot at pitcher Audra Rast who took a ball off the side of her leg bouncing to Kate Stake at second resulting in a run by Creek.
After a tough inning in the fourth, the Birds bounced back off of two Redbird singles and an error by Saluki shortstop Haley Viefhaus, scoring one run on a Cutie Taylor single sending Lauren Bierwirth across the plate.
The Birds rolled in two more runs in the sixth scoring on base hits by Dominique Borba, Katie Shifflet, Shae Wesley and Scott.
With both teams still tied in the final inning, freshman Kate Stake grabbed her first hit of the game with a single to center field. Borba was walked on the next play, putting Stake in scoring position for the Birds. With two outs, Shifflet hit into a fielders choice for a chance at a Saluki out, but an error on the shortstop helped the Redbirds to catch their fourth run, with a score of 4-3.
Then Bierwirth drilled a ball through short and third scoring at her next chance at the plate scoring Borba from third base helping the Birds increase the score to 5-3, which would end up being the final score of the game.
Rast put an end to the game striking out her final two batters and earning her seventh win in a row. She threw two of three games against the Salukis this weekend winning both, improving her record to 10-2.
Amy Harre took the loss for the Birds after replacing Renee Mueller in the fourth inning. Harres record fell to 10-6.
The Redbirds meet Indiana State on Wednesday in Terre Haute, Ind.
