NORMAL, Ill. – Despite a two-run lead through six complete innings, Illinois State dropped a 7-5 decision to Southern Illinois who posted a four-run seventh inning to win the series at Marian Kneer Stadium on Sunday.
The Redbirds tallied 12 hits throughout the contest, while the Salukis logged nine. However, with 11 runners left on base, Illinois State evens up its overall record at 16-16 with SIU improving to 19-16, moving into first place in the Valley at 7-2 while the Redbirds share the 6-3 second-place spot with Missouri State and Wichita State.
Alyssa Wiebel led Illinois State's offense with her 3-for-4 day and two RBIs. Caitlyn Daly drove in two more Redbird runs with two hits. Jordan de los Reyes knocked in the final RBI, totaling two hits. Shannon Felde slugged two hits in the contest with three Redbirds tallying one a piece.
Scoring first and last, the Salukis posted three runs in the first inning and four runs in the seventh to earn the win.
The Redbirds responded by loading the bases on a Riley Strandgard single and a pair of walks as Wiebel stepped into the box. Wiebel laced a two-run single through the left side with two outs on the board. A third walk by the Salukis' pitcher loaded the bases for a second time in the frame. Daly gave the Redbirds a 4-3 lead on a two-run single sent up the middle. A walk by Alex Caliva loaded the bases to force an SIU change in the circle, but a strikeout ended the frame.
Felde extended her hitting streak to 19 games in the second inning. With one runner on, de los Reyes lined a double to the right field warning track, upping the Redbirds lead to two runs.
Despite a leadoff single in the third, a smooth 6-4-3 double play by the Redbirds' infield held off the Salukis. Caliva sliced her first double of the season down the left line to begin the home half of the inning.
Felde and Wiebel logged their second hits of the day in the fourth inning but the pair were left on base. Daly matched her teammates with her second hit in the fifth inning.
After four scoreless innings, the Salukis posted four runs in the top of the seventh. The Redbirds made contact in the bottom of the frame but were unable to come away with the win.
The Redbirds' starting pitcher Sarah Finck tossed 6.0 complete innings for the no-decision while relief pitcher Felde took the loss.
Illinois State continues its home stand on Wednesday at 5 p.m. versus DePaul for Strikeout Cancer Day.
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