Flawless was a good word to describe the Illinois State softball team on Saturday as it handled Belmont, 6-3 before shutting out Western Kentucky, 5-0 in the Hilltopper Spring Classic. Illinois State moves to 7-6 on the season.
Freshman ace Stacy Birk (3-2) earned the Belmont win as she pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out eight.
The Redbirds scored three runs in the bottom of the third and never looked back, adding two more in the fourth and one in the sixth. Belmont also scored twice in the fourth and once in the fifth.
Sophomore catcher Katie Guilbault led a Redbird offense that pounded out seven hits. Guilbault went three for four with a double. Sophomore Tricia Gaither added a triple and Mandy Garner recorded a double, while Emily Krueger went two for four.
Junior co-captain Kate Stakes first home run of the year helped the Birds to a 5-0 victory over host Western Kentucky in its second game.
Dominique Borba started things off for the ISU offense that ended up with eight hits. Borbas RBI double scored Randi Patton in the first inning, putting the Birds up 1-0. Stakes solo shot in the bottom of the second gave Illinois State a 2-0 lead. The Redbirds added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double by Krueger and a two-run double by Stake. Patton also had a double in the contest.
Hurler Sheila Emms shut out Western Kentucky and allowed just one hit in the sixth inning. Emms (2-2) pitched a complete game, striking out seven and walking two. The Hilltoppers only hit of the game was a double by left fielder Alana Towns.
The Redbirds will face Southeast Missouri State on Sunday at 10 a.m. Bracket play will take place at 2 and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
