The Redbirds battled back from yesterdays split with the Drake Bulldogs to take the series with the 3-1 victory today in Des Moines, Iowa, at Buel Field. The Illinois State softball team improves to 14-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference and 21-17 overall.
Despite an Abbie Scott double and loaded bases in the first inning, the Redbirds failed to score, as Drake took the early lead at 1-0 by scoring on a pass ball.
Emily Krueger tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the third as she stepped to the plate and hit a solo homerun over the centerfield fence. This marked Kruegers second homer of the season and fourth of the season.
The Birds continued to score runs in the fourth inning as Lauren Bierwirth reached first on a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Randi Patton. She advanced to third on a pass ball and crossed home plate on a Tricia Gaither single. Krueger proved her worth as the designated hitter as she hit a double to centerfield to drive home Gaither. The Redbirds stepped up their lead to 3-1, which was enough for Illinois State to claim the victory over the Drake Bulldogs.
Pitcher Audra Rast picked up another win to improve her record to 13-8 and 10-0 in the Valley. Rast hurled a season-high 13 strikeouts, allowed no walks, two hits and one run.
Krueger went 2-for-3 on the day, including a double and a homer, with one run and two RBI. Bierwirth also went 2-for-3 with a double and one run. Gaither and Kate Stake each went 1-for-4, while Scott was 1-for-3.
The Redbirds will return to action on April 15 as they travel to Macomb, Illinois, to take on Western Illinois for a 4 p.m. game.
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