WICHITA, Kan. – A late rally by Wichita State completed a sweep of the Illinois State softball team for the second-straight season. The Redbirds lost a 1-0 lead and fell 5-1 in the series finale.
The Redbirds had opportunities right away in the first inning after Jordan de los Reyes singled and Regan Romshek followed it up with a double to centerfield. With one out and two runners in scoring position, the Redbirds failed to plate a run.
ISU starter Sarah Finck cruised through the first inning, working around a leadoff walk with no issues. In the top of the second, she received some support from her offense as Kelsey Turczyn lifted a solo shot to left-centerfield to give ISU a 1-0 lead.
It was Turczyn's third home run of the season and all three have come in Valley play.
Finck shut down the Shockers for the next two innings, but the offense stalled once runners were on base. In each of the first three innings the Redbirds had two hits, but managed just one run.
In the bottom of the fourth, Wichita's offense came to life against Finck. After singles by Brittany Fortner and Mackenzie Wright put two on with one out, Macklin Hitz singled in both runs to give Wichita the lead. Hitz was the hero as well on Saturday with her two-run homer in game two.
McKensie Vissering entered in relief after the Hitz single and induced two ground ball outs to end the inning.
ISU stranded three more runners in the fifth and sixth innings and in the bottom of the sixth, Wichita busted the game open. Vissering recorded two outs on two pitches to start the frame, but the Shockers mounted a two-out rally.
Kennedy Long and McKenzie Adams each singled and Vissering was pulled in favor of Romshek. Ashley Johnson then hit an RBI single to make it 3-1 Wichita. It was Johnson's third hit of the day. Cacy Williams followed with a base hit that scored two runs and pushed Wichita's lead to four.
In the top of the seventh, Kaitlyn Knary drew a leadoff walk, but the next three hitters were retired to end the game and the series. It's the first time this season that ISU has been swept in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Finck took the loss to fall to 7-3 on the season and the offense was led by Kelsey Turczyn. She finished 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Romshek and Kara Repp each had two hits apiece.
The Redbirds are now 18-24 overall and 9-6 in the MVC. ISU will turn its attention to the coming week that includes five games in the Valley. The Redbirds are back in action on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Bradley. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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