TAMPA, Fla. – The Illinois State softball team dropped a pair of games to No. 6 Michigan and No. 4 Florida on the second day of the USF Wilson DeMarini Tournament. The Redbirds fall to 0-3 while Michigan and Florida remain unscathed to begin the season.
Freshman Alyssa Wiebel led the Redbirds with a 2-for-3 outing against Michigan, doubling to left-center before sending a two-run bomb to left. Shannon Felde notched the lone hit against Florida through the left side in the third frame.
Game One vs. No. 6 Michigan
Wiebel had another standout performance in game one, going 2-for-3 with a double and two-RBI home run to begin the day. Riley Strandgard tacked on another hit for ISU against sixth-ranked Michigan, but the Wolverines came out on top, 4-2.
Wiebel sparked the Redbirds' offense with a double to the centerfield warning track. Alex Caliva drew a walk to put two in scoring position. However, Illinois State could not capitalize in the second frame.
Riley Strandgard singled through the left side in the third, but was caught stealing second to end the inning.
Michigan's Courtney Richardson send a three-run homer to left, upping the score to 4-0 after one run in the first in the fourth inning.
Jordan de los Reyes drew a five-pitch walk to leadoff the fourth with Stephanie Thulen coming in to pinch run. On a full count, Wiebel send a two-run bomb to the top of the left field bleachers to cut Illinois State's deficit in half, 4-2.
However, Illinois State could not overcome No. 6 Michigan, falling 4-2. Shannon Felde took the loss in 7.0 innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Game Two vs. No. 4 Florida
Felde singled through the right side in the fourth inning to put the Redbirds on base. However, the Redbirds were unable to score against fourth-ranked Florida, falling 9-0.
Florida jumped on the board early, taking a three-run lead on four hits in the first inning. The Gators tacked on five runs in the third upping the score to eight.
Ali Domkuski took the loss in 2.0 innings in the circle. Veronique Johnson tossed 1.1 innings in relief with a pair of strikeouts. Morgan Christner closed out the contest with the final two outs. Florida's Delanie Gourley earned the win in 5.0 innings with 12 strikeouts.
The Redbirds resume competition at the USF Wilson DeMarini Tournament on Saturday at 6:45 p.m.
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