The Illinois State softball team dropped two on Friday with losses to Texas A&M, 2-1, and Notre Dame, 1-0, at the Aggie II Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M.
The No. 19 Fightin Irish faught till the end against the Redbirds scoring only one run on pitcher Corey Harris in the bottom of the sixth inning which earned them the win, 1-0. Notre Dame hit the ball well during the game grabbing seven hits forcing Redbird errors in the field.
We had three errors in our second game, said head coach
Melinda Fischer. Defensively we made plays that were giving the other team breaks.
In the two games combined, the Birds gave up three errors and left 21 runners on base, a statistic Fischer was disappointed with.
We were tested in the outfield more than we have been this season, said Fischer. We had tough plays to make at both the plate and in the field. We made errors that eventually were the winning run for the other team.
I feel we certainly had opportunities to hit the ball. We just couldnt come through today, added Fischer.
In the first game, freshman shortstop Dominique Borba collected three hits, but her teammates mustered just three others against two Texas A&M hurlers as the Redbirds fell to the 31st-ranked Aggies 2-1.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the Birds staged a dramatic rally and nearly sent the game to extra innings. Two errors put Redbirds at first and second with two outs. Katie Shifflet singled to right, scoring pinch runner Jessica Harbeck. But Stephanie Beyer was cut down at the plate trying to score the tying run on a throw from A&M right fielder Adrian Gregory.
The Birds left 12 runners on base in the loss. Audra Rast (3-2) took the ISU loss despite tossing a complete game.
Illinois State will play again Saturday at 11 a.m. against Louisianna-Lafayette and 2 p.m against Notre Dame.
