NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team hit five home runs Friday as part of a 10-2 victory in five innings over conference rival Southern Illinois at Marian Kneer Stadium.
With the wind blowing out hard to centerfield, ISU wasted no time jumping on the Salukis. Redbird starter Regan Romshek allowed one hit in the top of the first, but put SIU away in relatively easy fashion. She ten helped herself out in the bottom of the frame, lining a two-run homer to left that scored Annie Heineman.
The only trouble Romshek had came in the second inning. After a pair of one out singles, Romshek was able to induce an infield pop fly for the second out of the frame. However, Savannah Fisher then singled in both runs to tie the game at two.
The tie would not last long as ISU responded in the bottom of the inning. Kara Repp led off the frame with a walk and then Heineman ripped a single back up the middle. Repp was running on the play and attempted to take third. The throw from centerfield was off the mark and bounced into the ISU dugout, allowing Repp to score to give ISU the lead back.
Romshek then drove in her third run of the day with a single that scored Heineman. The next batter up, Jordan de los Reyes, sent a two-run home run deep to centerfield to extend the Redbird lead to 5-2.
On the first pitch of the bottom of the third, Riley Strandgard hit her fifth home run of the season to dead centerfield. After the next two hitters recorded outs, ISU went on a two-out rally. Repp provided an unlikely power source, launching her first career home run well over the right field fence. Lindsey Greene followed with a single and then Heineman hit a two-run homer, her fourth of the year.
The Redbirds ended the inning ahead 10-2 and Romshek handled the rest. The junior was magnificent all day in the circle and picked up the complete game win. She scattered six hits and gave up two earned runs while striking out two and walking two.
The offense provided plenty of support, scoring 10 runs on 12 hits. Eight different Redbirds recorded a hit and six different Redbirds crossed the plate. ISU was especially good with two outs, racking up seven two-out hits.
The two teams now meet in a doubleheader Saturday. ISU (17-19, 8-2 MVC) has won six-straight conference games. First pitch is scheduled for noon and 2:30 p.m. A live audio broadcast will be available for both games and a live video broadcast will be available on Redbird HD.tv.
Saturday is also Youth Softball Day. All kids are encouraged to wear their team jersey and the first 50 kids in attendance will receive an autographed team poster. Following the final game, all kids are invited on the field to take a team picture with the Redbird softball team.
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