Illinois State came from behind and used two big innings to down Boston College, 8-1 at the Worth Invitational in Fullerton, Calif. Saturday. The Redbirds (9-3) are 2-0 thus far in the tournament.
Boston College (7-7) took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff Kimmy Hopkins started off with a single through the right side. Hopkins then moved to third on a wild pitch and a pair of groundouts. Hopkins then scored the Eagles lone run of the game on a RBI single up the middle by pitcher Britney Thompson with two outs.
BC hung onto the lead until the top of the fourth when the Redbirds rallied. With one out Randi Patton drove a shot down the first baseline and reached when the ball knocked off the first basemans knee and rolled to the fence. Patton then stole second and attempted to go to third, but she was knocked down by the shortstop as the throw sailed into centerfield.
Lauren Bierwirth then came up with her second big hit in as many days. The senior centerfielder worked to a full count before sending a two-run shot over the fence in left field to give the Birds a 2-1 lead which they would never relinquish. It was Bierwirths first home run of the season.
After that inning ISU had renewed energy and fire, batting all the way around in the fifth. Tricia Gaither hit a leadoff double to right center prior to Kate Stakes single to left field. Illinois State then successfully pulled off the double steal to make it 3-1. Dominique Borba followed with a single to left to put runners on the corners a second time. After Borba successfully stole second by avoiding the tag, designated player Jen Wright drove a pitch over the fence in left field to hand the Redbirds a 6-1 lead. The home run was Wrights first as a Redbird.
But the Birds werent done yet. Randi Patton reached when the shortstop bobbled the ball while attempting to make the throw to first. Bierwirth walked and RaeAnn Ewen managed to get on when her slow roller was picked up late by the first baseman. Ewen managed to avoid the tag and Patton was able to score, giving ISU a 7-1 lead as Bierwirth went to third. Mandy Garner then hit a RBI single to right field for the final score of the game.
I thought we started off the game kind of sluggish and they were able to take advantage of that, head coach
Melinda Fischer said. We started out similar to yesterday. We werent making the appropriate adjustments. Later in the game, we got our focus and became more disciplined at the plate and got our game going. Laurens (Bierwirth) hit was key and so was Jens (Wright). When we started putting the ball in play our offense really got rolling.
Gaither, Stake, Wright and Patton each had two hits. With home runs to their credit, Wright picked up three RBI and Bierwirth had two.
Shannon Nicholson (6-3) picked up the win for the Redbirds. She surrendered just four hits and struck out two.
Illinois State takes on tournament host Cal State-Fullerton at 5:45 p.m. CST.
