Randi Patton came through when the Illinois State softball team (21-7, 5-2) needed offensive production against Missouri Valley Conference foe Indiana State Wednesday. The junior left fielder drove in the game-winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Redbirds a 1-0 victory.
Today was Randi Patton day, Illinois State head coach
Melinda Fischer said. She stepped up on offense and defense today. This is huge for to get out of the mild slump that shes been in. She had a really good stroke today.
The Sycamores (6-13, 1-6) threatened first in the top of the fourth with two outs. Stephanie Spychaj reached on a Redbird error just before Jessica McGivney reached on a walk. Alyssa Duncan followed with a single to left field, and Spychaj tried to score on the play but was thrown out at the plate by Patton to get the Birds out of the inning.
Illinois States first opportunity to score came in the bottom of the fifth. Starting pitcher Stacy Birk led off with a single up the middle but was forced out at second on Pattons fielders choice. After a strikeout, Katie Guilbault reached safely when the first baseman was pulled off the bag on a bad throw. However both runners were left stranded on the bases as another strikeout completed the frame.
The Birds had other opportunities in the seventh and eighth with two outs, but they failed to get a run across both times. In the ninth, Jen Wright was hit by a pitch with one out to put the winning run on first base. After a fly out to right field, Patton drove her home on a RBI triple to right field.
In game two it was Patton once again that provided the offensive firepower needed to take the lead. With two on and two out in the bottom of the first, she sent one over the wall in left field to put Illinois State up 3-0. However lightning forced the suspension of the game after Pattons at bat. The game will resume on April 20 when ISU travels to Indiana State.
I thought their pitcher did a really good job of mixing her pitches and keeping us off balance, Fischer said. We had some good at bats but in some respects we struggled. Stacy did a nice job pitching for us keeping us in the game. Jen (Wright) had a good day but even though there wasnt anything to show for it. Lauren (Bierwirth) had a great catch out in centerfield and I though Kate (Stake) had some really good plays at second.
Birk (10-1) picked up the win, allowing just two hits while striking out seven and walking four in nine innings. Patton, who was two-for-four, was the only Redbird with more than one hit.
Next up for the Birds is a three-game series against Southern Illinois. Saturday, ISU will play a doubleheader at Redbird Softball Complex at noon before completing the series with a noon contest on Sunday.
