After nearly four hours of rain delays, freshman Kate Stake smacked a triple to center driving in pinch runner Erin Carr in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Illinois State softball team beat Kent State in the first game at the UK Invitational Tournament.
After a 30-minute rain delay, the third delay of the day, Jamie Bagnall lined a double to left center. Stake then crushed her first triple of the season to center, scoring pinch runner Carr from second for the lone run of the game.
Weve been really focusing on producing runs lately, head coach
Melinda Fischer said. We had some opportunities early but couldnt capitalize. We hung in there and got in the run across.
Redbird pitcher Audra Rast fired a one-hitter, striking out nine and allowing no walks en route to her fourth win of the season.
Audra pitched a really good game and showed great focus, Fischer said. That was a tough game for both teams.
Illinois State threatened to score in the bottom half of the second inning, but could not plate any runs. Stake led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on an Abbie Scott single to right field. Stake then moved to third on a wild pitch by Kent States Melissa Rhodes, but was left stranded.
With the win, the Redbirds boost their record to 5-8 while Kent State fell to 4-5.
The Birds were slated to play Eastern Kentucky Saturday evening, but the game was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Play at the UK Invitational Tournament concludes Sunday with Illinois State facing Ohio University at 4 p.m. EST and host Kentucky at 6 p.m. EST.
