EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time this season, the Illinois State softball team won the opening game of a Missouri Valley Conference series and hold a 2-0 series lead over Evansville after sweeping a doubleheader Saturday in Evansville, Indiana.
The Redbirds' offense came out in full force in game one, scoring 14 runs in a 14-5 victory. ISU fell behind 2-0 after the first inning, but bounced back to tie the game in the top of the third when Jordan de los Reyes launched a two-run shot to center field that also plated Annie Heineman.
Evansville came right back at ISU with a three-run homer of its own in the bottom of the third to take a 5-2 lead on ISU starter Regan Romshek. It was the last inning Evansville would lead as Romshek used her bat to get ISU back in the game.
After a walk to Kara Repp, Heineman singled to centerfield. An error by the Aces' centerfielder allowed Greene to score and Heineman to move all the way to third. Romshek then stepped into the box and tied the game with a towering two-run homer to left field.
The Redbirds scored three more in the fifth inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Heineman. Riley Strandgard and Kelsey Turczyn each had a hit, stolen base and run scored in the frame.
In the sixth, ISU added one more to its lead when Payton Billups singled home Stephanie Gallant. Meanwhile, in the circle, Romshek settled in and shut out the Aces after the second inning. She received more offensive support than she needed as ISU busted the game wide open in the seventh.
The Redbirds scored five runs in the final frame. Heineman and De los Reyes each had doubles and Gallant hit a two-run home run, her third of the season.
Romshek slammed the door shut in the seventh and picked up her ninth win of the season. Romshek went the full seven innings, giving up six hits and five runs while striking out two and walking two. Only one Evansville hit came after the third inning.
Heineman led ISU's offensive explosion, going 4-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. De los Reyes finished 2-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored while Billups was 2-4 with an RBI and a run. Strandgard chipped in with a 2-3 day that included a run.
Every spot in the ISU lineup scored at least one run and the Redbirds tallied 13 hits total.
Game two was more of the same as ISU put up nine more runs in a 9-1 victory that took only six innings. The Redbirds' offense was consistent throughout the game, scoring at least one run in all but one inning of play.
ISU scored two quick runs in the first inning. Heineman was hit by a pitch and Romshek singled to start the inning. De los Reyes then lifted a fly ball to center that was deep enough to score Heineman for the game's first run. Later in the inning, Strandgard drove in Romshek with an RBI single.
A walk, an error by Evansville and a single from Lindsey Greene led to another run in the second inning as Abby Turczyn crossed the plate.
In the third inning, ISU added three more runs, highlighted by an RBI single from Gallant. The only run Evansville scored off of ISU's Sarah Finck came in the bottom of the frame. The Redbirds hardly batted an eye, as Strandgard drove in two runs in the top of the fourth.
ISU failed to score in the fifth, but scored the ninth-and-final run in the sixth inning. After a leadoff walk to De los Reyes, Gallant laid down a sacrifice bunt and Strandgard drove De los Reyes in with a single.
Finck went the distance in the circle, winning her fifth game of the season. Finck threw six innings, scattering five hits and not allowing an earned run. She struck out three while walking three.
The offense tallied 10 more hits and Strandgard led the way with a 3-4 effort that included four RBIs and a run scored. Gallant and Greene chipped in with two hits and an RBI each. Romshek finished 1-2 with three runs scored.
ISU is now 15-18 overall and 6-2 in the MVC. The Redbirds will go for their first series sweep this season Sunday at noon. A live audio broadcast will be available on GoRedbirds.com.
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