On a windy day at McKee Stadium, the Illinois State softball team took advantage of the Westerwinds of Western Illinois as the Redbirds created a homerun derby, with homers from Mandy Garner, Carly Weinstein and Dominique Borba.
The Birds started off slow but redeemed themselves in the top of the fourth inning as Garner, a sophomore, stepped to the plate and hit a bomb over the left field wall on the first pitch, giving her the first homer of her career. Garners homerun drove home Katie Guilbault and Lauren Bierwirth, giving Illinois State the 3-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, Weinstein, a freshman, came into the game to pinch-hit for Kate Stake, taking the first pitch and bombing the first homer of her career over the centerfield wall. Borba, a sophomore, followed Guilbaults ground out with a homerun of her own, the first of the season for her, over the left field wall. The Redbirds improved their lead to 5-0, before retiring the inning.
Illinois State claimed the 5-0 victory over Western Illinois, as freshman pitcher Sheila Emms recorded her second win as a Redbird. Emms allowed only three hits, hurled five strikeouts, and improved her record to 2-3.
Head coach
Melinda Fischer was very pleased with the Redbirds efforts.
Sheila pitched an awesome game, said Fischer. Two of her three hits came from the same player, but she truly had some key pitches.
We got tremendous production from our bench, as each pinch-hitter got a hit, added Fischer. We had three huge hits from Mandy, Carly and Dom. Overall, we played consistent throughout the game and that is what we need to do.
The Redbirds return to action on Wednesday, April 16, as they host Northern Illinois at the Redbird Softball Complex for a 5 p.m. game.
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