PEORIA, Ill. -Â After going scoreless in the first game against Bradley, the Illinois State softball team's offensive came back to life in the second game of the doubleheader, as the Redbirds (17-24, 9-5 MVC) and the Braves (19-24, 10-7 MVC) split Wednesday's games. BU took a quick 1-0 victory in game one, but ISU scored eight runs in the final two innings of game two to grab the 11-2 win at Laura Bradley Park.
In the circle, Regan Romshek threw four perfect innings in game one on her way to striking out two and allowing five hits in six innings. Taylor Baxter got the start in game two, but Romshek came back in for relief in the fourth to record the win. Romshek allowed two hits and struck out two Bradley batters in game two. In 9.1 innings pitched, Romshek didn't allow a single walk.
Kolby Hoffman, Stephanie Gallant and Annie Heineman all recorded hits in the first game, but ISU left six runners stranded in the one-run loss. Game two was a different story, as nine Redbirds crossed home plate, including Sara Bradley and Gallant, who both scored two runs. Romshek helped herself with two hits, including a stand-up double, and two runs batted in. Brittny Drish was 2-for-3 in the win with two RBI, while Kara Repp and Hoffman both also recorded two hits in the second game.
Romshek and the Redbirds were flawless, as they retired three-straight Bradley batters through the first four innings. Then, in the top of the third, Hoffman singled through the left side of the field, but ISU left two base runners stranded to end the inning. With only one combined hit for both teams after four innings, BU got its bats going in the bottom of the fifth, putting two hits on the board, but an unassisted double play by Drish kept the game scoreless after five-complete innings.
Game One: Illinois State 0, Bradley 1Â
Game one was the definition of a pitchers' duel, with the exception of Bradley's one-run sixth inning. Romshek struck out two and allowed five hits with no walks, while BU's Madeline Lynch-Crumrine allowed three hits and struck out four.
After two hits in the fifth for BU, the Braves added three more hits in the sixth to get their offense going. The Bradley offense scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth off of a hard hit single down the left field line by pinch hitter Kathryn Spenn that scored Bailiegh Basham from third.
ISU tried to answer in the bottom of the seventh, but a double play by Bradley cut ISU's chances, as Illinois State fell, 1-0.
Game Two: Illinois State 11, Bradley 2Â
ISU quickly loaded the bases in the top of the first inning off of two walks and an error and took a quick one-run lead, after Bradley hit a sacrifice fly to right field. Nichelle Harrison tagged at third and her speed allowed her to beat the throw home for the 1-0 advantage. In the second, Repp singled to start the second inning for ISU and moved to second, after Laura Canopy was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Romshek hit a stand-up double to right center field, scoring both Repp and Canopy to increase ISU's lead to three runs, 3-0.
Bradley cut ISU's lead to two runs, 3-1, as Groenewegen hit a stand-up double, scoring Joseph in the bottom of the third. Spenn, who was pinch hitting, continued to be powerful at the plate and crushed a two-out homer over the left field wall to get BU within one, 3-2.
Illinois State's bats came back to life in the top of the sixth, after three scoreless innings, and ISU quickly loaded the bases, which is how they would stay most of the inning. The Redbirds scored four runs on three hits, as Gallant, Drish and Hoffman singled followed by a sacrifice fly by Canopy, respectively, to score Romshek, Molly Cull, Bradley and Gallant. The strong offensive inning increased ISU's lead to 7-2.
The seventh inning was similar to the sixth, as Romshek led off the Redbirds for the second-straight inning. Illinois State scored four runs on two hits in the top of the seventh, as the BU pitching staff continued to struggle. Lindsey Greene and Jordan de los Reyes scored off of a wild pitch and a walk, respectively, after ISU had loaded the bases. Shortly after, Bradley crossed home plate, after another wild pitch. With two outs, Harrison reached first on an error, allowing Gallant to score to make it an 11-2 advantage. The Braves had one more chance to bat, but couldn't overcome the daunting task, as Illinois State won game two by nine runs, 11-2.
The Redbirds return home to Marian Kneer Stadium, as they host Evansville in a three game series Friday and Saturday. Friday's game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader is slated for a noon start time.
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