NORMAL, Ill. – Trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh, Illinois State scored three runs, earn the walk-off 5-4 win against IUPUI in the first round of the NISC Regional on Tuesday at Marian Kneer Stadium.
An RBI-walk and a pair of sac-flies in the final inning clinched the Redbirds' 5-4 win, despite trailing to the Jaugars up until that point. Illinois State improves to 31-21 while IUPUI dips to 23-30.
Riley Strandgard and Shannon Felde led the Redbirds with two hits apiece with Strandgard also driving in two runs. IUPUI's Maggie Armstrong was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with three Jaguars picking up RBIs.
The Redbirds will face Murray State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium, while IUPUI takes on Michigan State at 1 p.m.
IUPUI struck first with three runs on three hits in the first. The Redbirds answered back with two runs on a Jordan de los Reyes RBI-triple and a Strandgard single to the same spot.
The Jaguars extended their lead in the fourth inning after a Maggie Armstrong double down the right line and a Mandy Dallas RBI-single.
The Redbirds threatened in the fifth, loading the bases after Felde singled to open the inning and a pair of walks. However, the Jaguars escaped the frame on a fielder's choice and a ground out.
Felde led off the seventh with her second hit of the day. Back-to-back walks by de los Reyes and Allison Spence loaded the bases with no outs. Strandgard sent a sac-fly to center, plating the first run of the inning before an Annie Heineman walk tied the game at six runs apiece. Caitlyn Daly knocked the game-winning sac-fly to right for the 5-4 victory.
Sarah Finck tossed her 24th complete game, improving to 22-11 on the season. IUPUI's Nickole Finch went the distance in the loss.
The Redbirds face Murray State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium.
Fans can purchase all-session passes for $20. Single-session ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and youth. Tickets can also be purchased at the gates of Marian Kneer Stadium on game day. To purchase tickets visit GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, call (309) 438-8000, or visit the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office at the north entrance of Redbird Arena.
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