NORMAL, Ill. – Despite a Riley Hale home run and a Riley Strandgard multi-hit game, Illinois State dropped a 5-1 decision to DePaul on Wednesday afternoon's Strikeout Cancer Day at Marian Kneer Stadium.
Solid pitching and an early attack by the Blue Demons in the second inning would be enough to earn DePaul the win in the midweek, nonconference matchup.
Hale's solo home run in the third inning would be the lone run on the board for Illinois State. Strandgard led the Redbirds' offense her 2-for-3 day that included a double to left-center in the second.
With the decision, Illinois State slides to 19-17 while DePaul improves to 19-16 on the season.
DePaul struck first in the second inning on a trio of hits, plating two runs off Brianna Viles' single.
Strandgard doubled to right-center before an Annie Heineman infield single put the Redbirds on the corners. However, the Blue Demons held the Redbirds scoreless in the second.
Hale cut the deficit in half with a solo-shot to left field in the bottom of the third. The Blue Demons responded with a gone-ball of their own and a fourth run in following frame.
Kori Mesecher singled down the left line in the bottom of the fifth but was left on base. Jordan de los Reyes lined a double to left but side came to a similar end.
Strandgard knocked her second hit of the day through the left side in the seventh which was followed up by an Alex Caliva single to the same spot. However, the pair of hits were not enough for the win.
Starting pitcher Ali Domkuski took the loss in 4.0 innings with Sarah Finck completing the game. The Blue Demons' starter Kennedy Garcia earned her eighth win of the year in 4.2 innings. Krista Dalgarn tossed 2.0 innings before Missy Zoch hurdled the final out for the save.
Illinois State hits the road this weekend, facing Drake for a three-game series in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday and Saturday. The Redbirds return home on Wednesday, April 19 to Pack the Park versus Bradley.
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