Back-to-back homeruns by Trisha Gaither and Abbie Scott in the fifth inning was what the Illinois State softball team needed to take game three from Southern Illinois, 4-1, in Valley action Sunday in Normal. Redbird pitcher Audra Rast, who pitched both games Saturday, allowed four hits in the game while striking out 10.
With the win, Illinois State is back atop the Valley standings with one more win than second-place Southern Illinois. Illinois State is 27-20, 18-5 in the Valley while Southern Illinois is 34-9, 17-5.
After the homeruns by Gaither and Scott in the fifth, Katie Shifflet ripped a double to centerfield to score another run for the 'Birds.
The Redbirds scored their first run in the bottom of the third inning when Gaither reached first on a Saluki error and advanced to second on a sac bunt. Gaither continued around the bases, landing on third on the next out but continued running, getting caught in a run down between third and home before reaching home safely after Saluki catcher Adie Viefhaus dropped the ball.
Southern Illinois would have tied the game at one apiece in the top of the fifth inning if Maria Damico's homerun over the left-field line would have been ruled fair, which was a disputed call by Saluki head coach Kerri Blaylock, but the final ruling was foul. The only Saluki run came at the top of the ninth off a Damico double.
Head coach
Melinda Fischer was not at the Redbird Softball Complex on Sunday because she was attending to family issues. The Redbirds return to action, May 3-4, at the Redbird Softball Complex against Southwest Missouri State in the final regular-season Valley series of the year.
