After a twenty-minute delay in the third inning and an overnight suspension in the sixth inning with No. 23 Notre Dame, both due to inclement weather, the Illinois State softball team lost, 0-1. The Redbirds finished play with an 11-0 loss to No. 4 California, Sunday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
In the marathon game against the Fighting Irish, the scored remained tied at 0-0 when the game was suspended in the sixth inning. When play resumed, Illinois State pitcher Corey Harris resumed play by striking out the first batter. The Redbirds recorded the third out as Notre Dame grounded out to Tricia Gaither at third base.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Redbird failed to score as Dominique Borba popped out to shortstop, and Emily Krueger was walked but left on base as Katie Shifflet struck out and Kate Stake grounded out to third base. The Redbirds held the Irish by getting three quick outs.
The game was sent into extra innings, and the international tie breaker was put into effect. In the top of the eighth, the Redbirds placed Stake on second, who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Serena Cruz. Lauren Bierwirth grounded out to first base, just before Randi Patton was walked and Gaither popped out to the catcher, with the score still tied at 0-0.
However, the Fighting Irish answered after placing Liz Hartman on second and was brought home after a double to center field by Kellie Middleton. Hartmans run claimed the Notre Dame victory over Illinois State, 1-0.
In Illinois States final game of the Leadoff Classic, California took the early lead in the top of the third inning with two runs. Illinois State was unable to answer. At the end of four complete innings, the Redbirds trailed the Golden Bears, 2-0.
California again scored two runs, this time in the top of the sixth, to increase the lead over the Redbirds to 4-0. In the top of the seventh, the Golden Bears scored seven runs, including a three-run homerun by Haley Woods. Despite three hits by the Redbirds in the bottom of the seventh, the Golden Bears claimed the 11-0 victory.
The Redbirds fall to 6-8 overall, after going 0-3 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic this weekend.
