The Redbirds suffered their first loss at the Worth Invitational Saturday to the host team, Cal State-Fullerton, 7-3. The Titans outhit the Birds 12-3.
Illinois State (9-3) got itself in a jam in the first inning when CSFs leadoff hitter singled up the middle and advanced to second when the ball was misfielded. The next Titan hit an infield single to put runners on the corners with no one out. After a flyout to left field, pitcher Candice Baker hit a RBI single to right to put Cal State-Fullerton (6-5) up 1-0. The Birds got out of the inning with a strikeout and a line out by the following two batters leaving two runners in scoring position.
The Titans put together two runs in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. They took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third on a Lindsey Bashor two-run homer to right field with no one out. Following a groundout, Baker bunted for a single. The next Titan reached base on an error to put runners on the corners for Cal State-Fullerton. The next batter got on via a fielders choice but the runner at third was thrown out at home and a foul out followed to end the frame. Cal State-Fullerton added two runs in the fourth on three singles and a pair of fielders choices, and another two in the fifth on a two-run homer by catcher Kiki Munoz.
The Birds got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with two outs. Jen Wright earned a free pass to first when she was hit by a pitch with one out. Aundrea Parsons then came on to run for Wright. After a foul out, Parsons stole second to put a Redbird in scoring position. Then Lauren Bierwirth drove a shot at the second baseman who bobbled the ball allowing Bierwirth to reach safely and Parsons to score. Bierwirth then stole second and Katie Guilbault was walked, but the rally was short-lived as the inning ended with a strikeout.
Illinois State got two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Bierwirth led off with a walk and after two outs scored on a Mandy Garner home run to right center for the games final score.
Shannon Nicholson (6-4) picked up the loss for the Birds.
Tomorrow Illinois State will wrap up the Worth Invitational with a 1:15 p.m. CST match-up against Pacific.
