TAMPA, Fla. – The Illinois State softball team gave No. 8 Michigan all they wanted Sunday morning in Tampa, Florida, losing 4-1 to finish a five-game trip in the Sunshine State. The loss drops the Redbirds to 2-3 on the season.
After the first two losses to South Florida and Florida, head coach Melinda Fischer stressed the importance of scoring first against top teams. ISU did just that, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Redbird leadoff hitter Annie Heineman reached on an error and two batters later Jordan de los Reyes drove her in with a double to centerfield.
ISU kept the 1-0 advantage through the first three frames as Regan Romshek turned in another solid outing in the circle. Romshek, who threw 5 1/3 innings of no-hit ball against Hampton on Saturday, no-hit the Wolverines through 3 1/3.
However, Michigan woke up in the fourth inning, scoring three runs that was aided by a pair of walks and two miscues in the field by the Redbirds. Michigan held off Illinois State's rally attempt in the next half inning as the Redbirds stranded two runners on base.
The Wolverines then added another run in the bottom of the sixth off a solo home run and they would shut ISU down in the seventh for the victory.
The Redbirds outhit Michigan 5-4 and Romshek battled admirably in the circle. The junior threw all six innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs. She struck out four batters, but walked six. The loss drops Romshek to 2-2 on the season.
Heineman led the Redbird offense with two hits and scored ISU's only run. De los Reyes, Stephanie Gallant and Lindsey Greene added the other hits.
ISU finishes 2-3 in Tampa and will now head home for a few days before a weekend trip to Tempe, Arizona. The Redbirds will play five games at Arizona State, beginning with North Texas at 4:45 CT Friday evening.
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