Head coach
Melinda Fischer and the Illinois State softball dropped their first game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic, 0-5, to No. 22 Alabama after over 24 hours of rain delay. The game picked up where it left off at the top of the fifth, with one Alabama runner on third, two outs and a 2-0 count.
Alabama got on the scoreboard early with a run in the first inning. The Redbirds were unable to answer as they ended the inning with two runners left on base, trailing the Crimson Tide, 0-1.
The Crimson Tide maintained that lead until the top of the fifth inning. Jennifer Reach hit a single to get on first base and was advanced to second when Jackie Wilkins was hit by a pitch by Redbird pitcher Audra Rast. Reach scored as Illinois State s Kate Stake threw to Katie Shifflet for the second out, and Wilkins scored on a wild pitch. The two runs improved the Alabama lead to 3-0. However, the inning was stopped due to excessive rain.
When the game finally resumed at 1:55 p.m. on Saturday, Rast ended the inning with a strikeout. The Redbirds failed to score in the bottom of the fifth and left three runners on base. In the top of the sixth, the Redbirds held the Crimson Tide at 3-0, with three-up-three-down. Illinois State again failed to score.
Alabama came out strong in the final inning and brought home two runs, increasing its lead to 5-0. Redbird freshman Sheila Emms replaced Rast and hurled two strikeouts to bring the Illinois State up to bat. Senior Abbie Scott hit a single over second base, but was tagged out on a double play when Dominique Borba grounded out to the second base. Senior Corey Harris grounded out to end the game.
Coach Fischer was pleased with the effort by the Redbirds, but disappointed with the outcome.
I think Sheila did a great job of coming in and putting the last two away, said Fischer. We out-hit Alabama, six-to-five, but the difference was that Alabama had the timely hits; that is something we continue to work on and strive to improve upon.
Due to the inclement weather, the tournament committee has limited tournament play to pool play only. The Redbirds will continue action tonight as they face No. 23 Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Illinois State will finish the tournament on Sunday, with a 10 a.m. game versus No. 4 California. The Redbirds have an overall record of 6-6.
