Senior Melissa Baker hit her first homerun and fifth double of the season to go 4-for-7 on the day, but it was not enough for the Illinois State softball team, as the Redbirds split with Drake at Buel Field. The Redbirds shutout the Bulldogs, 6-0, in the first game, but fell to Drake in the second game of the day, 4-2.
The Redbirds got off to the right start as freshman leadoff batter Tricia Gaither hit a double to improve her hitting streak to seven. Gaither advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Abbie Scott and was brought home when Dominique Borba grounded out to second base. Baker a double and was brought home when Emily Krueger stepped to the plate and hit her third homerun of the season. Illinois State ended the first inning with the 3-0 lead.
The Birds increased their lead to 5-0 in the second inning as Scott hit a double, her sixth of the season, to drive home Katie Shifflet and Randi Patton. Baker sealed the 6-0 Illinois State victory with her homer to centerfield in the sixth inning.
Redbird hurler Audra Rast remains undefeated in the Valley as she picked up her ninth win by pitching a one-hitter shutout over the Bulldogs. She recorded one walk and eleven strikeouts. She improved her overall record to 12-8.
It was a different story for the Redbirds in the second game of the day, as it was Drake that jumped to the early lead in the first inning, 1-0, due to two Illinois State errors. The Bulldogs improved that lead to 3-0 after the fourth inning, by scoring two runs on two hits and two Redbird errors. In the top of the sixth, Drake scored another run, increasing the lead to 4-0.
Illinois State tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the sixth, as Baker stepped to the plate with bases loaded and hit a single to left-centerfield to drive home Patton. Scott was brought home as Krueger reached first base on a fielders choice, before Mandy Garner was tagged out at second and Kate Stake struck out swinging for the second and third outs. The Redbirds were unable to score in the seventh, and lost the battle to Drake, 4-2.
Redbird pitcher Corey Harris fell to 7-6, as she gave up three runs on two hits, and struck out one batter.
On the day, Gaither was 2-for-6 and ended her hitting streak at seven, going 0-for-4 in game two. Scott was 2-for-5 with one double, one run and two RBIs. Shifflet went 3-for-6 with one run, and Patton went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The Redbirds return to action against Drake on Sunday for a noon game at Buel Field.
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