TEMPE, Ariz. – After winning in comeback fashion earlier in the day against San Diego, the Illinois State softball team (3-6) faced its third ranked opponent of the season in tournament host Arizona State (7-1) on Saturday evening, falling 9-1 in five innings.
Alex Caliva's bat stayed hot against the Sun Devils, registering Illinois State's first hit of the game with a one-out single down the right field line to get on base for the Redbirds in the first inning. The senior hit the game-winning home run in Illinois State's 3-2 walk-off win against San Diego earlier in the afternoon.
A double in the second inning by Arizona State helped the Sun Devils take an early 2-0 lead. In the top of the third, starting pitcher Shannon Felde bombed a two-out long ball over the left field wall for her second homer of the tournament. The junior went back to work in the circle in the bottom half of the inning, but Arizona State drew back-to-back walks to force a pitching change for the Redbirds.
Redshirt sophomore Veronique Johnson stepped into the circle for Illinois State for the third time this season to try and contain Arizona State. The Redbirds were able to escape the inning without any damage to hold the Sun Devils to a one-run lead.
A walk was issued to Alyssa Wiebel in the top of the fourth, but she was unable to advance any further with strong pitching and defense from Arizona State. The Sun Devils jumped out to a four-run lead in the home half of the inning, bringing rookie utility player Spenser Strandgard to the circle for her collegiate debut.
Illinois State went down in order in the top of the fifth inning, while Arizona State hit back-to-back two-run homers, to take the game 9-1.
The Redbirds will close out play at the Littlewood Classic on Sunday at 10 a.m. versus North Dakota.
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