March 11, 2014
Box Score |
Fischer Postgame Interview 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Illinois State softball team (8-15) dropped its final game at Louisville's Ulmer Stadium Tuesday afternoon, losing to the Cardinals (14-7), 7-3. UL scored five runs in the first inning to seize control and did not look back, dropping the Redbirds' record during their stay in Louisville to 2-2.
Six different Redbirds tallied one hit apiece, while Regan Romshek and Jordan de los Reyes both reached base twice. Romshek, de los Reyes and Stephanie Gallant each tallied one RBI, while Laura Canopy, Romshek and Brittny Drish scored ISU's runs.
The combination of Taylor Baxter (LP, 1-9) and McKensie Vissering (ND) pitched the entire game for the Redbirds. Baxter started the game and allowed four first-inning runs before being removed in favor of Vissering. Vissering tossed the next 3.1 innings, giving up three runs, before Baxter threw the final 2.0 frames.
The Cardinals jumped on ISU with a five-run first inning, all of which came with two outs. Brittany Duncan started the scoring with a two-run blast to right field that made it 3-0 Cardinals. Maggie Ruckenbrod followed with a double to chase Baxter, as Vissering came in from the pen. Vissering allowed three more hits and a walk, which brought home two more Cardinal runs, before getting out of the inning.
The Redbirds battled back to make it a game with a three-run third inning. Kara Repp led off with a single and was replaced by Drish at first after a fielder's choice. Drish moved to second after Canopy was hit by a pitch, before Romshek singled to score Drish and make it 5-1 Cardinals. After a wild pitch moved Canopy and Romshek up 60 feet, de los Reyes singled through the left side, which brought home Canopy. Gallant drove a sacrifice fly to left field that brought home Romshek to make it 5-3 and chase Louisville starter Rachel LeCoq (ND). Caralisa Connell (WP, 4-3) came on and retired the final two batters of the inning, and held ISU scoreless the rest of the way.
With Connell cruising, Louisville increased its lead on two solo home runs against Vissering. Kelsi Jones left the yard in the fourth, before Duncan hit her second blast of the game in the fifth. Baxter reentered after the second home run, and blanked the Cardinals for the final two innings.
Illinois State opens up Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend against Drake. Originally scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday and single game Sunday, the series will now feature a Friday doubleheader that begins at 12 p.m., CST and single game on Saturday that starts at 11 a.m.. Additionally, the games have been moved from Marian Kneer Stadium to the Corn Crib in Normal.
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