Once again it was Lauren Bierwirth providing the Illinois State softball team with the necessary offense late in the game. The senior tri-captains two-RBI single in the sixth inning helped lift the Redbirds (10-4) to a 4-2 victory over Pacific in their final game at the Worth Invitational in Fullerton, Calif. ISU finished the tournament 3-1.
We played a lot better today in all facets of the game, Illinois State head coach
Melinda Fischer said. They (Pacific) got a home run to go ahead early but we continued to battle. We did a better job of getting the leadoff batter out in most innings and that had been an issue for us in the Cal State-Fullerton game. We got back to Redbird softball today.
Lauren (Bierwirth) came up with big hits all weekend, Fischer said. I think she had an 0-2 count when she drove in those two runs in the sixth so it was a great at bat. She also had a nice play in the last inning to prevent them from scoring.
Pacific (10-5) threatened in the first inning and took a 2-0 lead in the top of the next frame following a leadoff walk and a two-run homer to right field by second baseman Lizzie Hagen.
The Redbirds never went away despite not scoring until the fourth inning. Illinois State left two runners on in each of the first two innings and put a run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The first two Redbirds received free passes to first on a pair of walks. Lauren Bierwirth then sacrificed the runners over to second and third with a bunt. Then Katie Guilbault grounded out to third base, but Aundrea Parsons was able to cross the plate to make it 2-1.
ISU rallied for three runs in the sixth to take 4-2 lead. Pitcher Stacy Birk led off with a double down the left field line and advanced to third when Randi Patton followed with a single through the right side. Patton stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Bierwirth then drove a pitch up the middle allowing two runs to score. She advanced to second on the throw to the plate and to third on a groundout. After a strikeout, Tricia Gaither hit a bloop single up the middle to give the Redbirds a two-run advantage, which they held onto for the final result.
The Tigers put two runners on in the top of the seventh with two outs but Bierwirth halted the Pacific rally by making a charging catch in centerfield on a line drive to end the game.
Birk (4-0) picked up the win for the Redbirds, She walked just one batter and surrendered six hits.
Stacy pitched a pretty decent ball game, Fischer said. It was good to have her available today since she was sick yesterday. Shes a big part of our offense and our defense, so when shes not available it really changes the scope of things.
Gaither was three-for-four with a RBI to lead the ISU offense. Five other Birds had one hit apiece, with Bierwirth picking up two RBI and Guilbault earning one.
Overall it was a really good weekend, Fischer said. We battled offensively and we were able to get some key hits in key situations. Our players did a good job of sticking to the goals that they set prior to the tournament. And the wins over Northwestern and Pacific are great for our program. Both teams have been ranked in the national polls this season.
