GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The nationally ranked Gators scored seven runs in the top of the fifth inning to give Florida (12-1) its second victory of the season over Illinois State (4-8) in the Redbirds' second game of a split doubleheader on Friday.
"During the Florida game, I thought we were very competitive with them for four strong innings," head softball coach Melinda Fischer said. "Florida is a strong team – there is no doubt about that. It was good for us to get on to their young pitcher early and force some changes on their end. We will need to be more fundamentally sound tomorrow in all aspects of the game."
Junior Shannon Felde got the starting call in the circle for the Redbirds, and struck out her first Gator, but not before Florida tacked a run on the board. In the bottom half of the inning, Illinois State was sent down in order, but all three Redbirds' bats made contact with the ball.
Felde and the Redbird defense returned the favor, sending the Gators down in order to start the second. A one-out walk issued to Riley Hale put Illinois State's first base runner on. Alyssa Wiebel singled through the left side to advance Hale and stick a pair on base, before a walk issued to Lauren Prader juiced the bases for the Redbirds. A two-out walk issued to Stephanie Thulen brought home a Redbird to knot the game at one-all.
In the third inning, Florida dropped a one-out double into deep centerfield, but back-to-back Gators flew out to Kori Mesecher in the outfield to keep the game tied up. A one-out single through the left side by Allison Spence forced a pitching change by Florida. Florida's new pitcher and the Gator defense sent the next two Redbirds down to leave Spence stranded at first.
A two-run homer over the left field wall put the Gators up 3-1 in the fourth. Florida retired the Redbirds in order in the bottom half of the inning to keep the two-run advantage.
Back-to-back singles and a walk issued to Florida loaded the bases with zero outs in the top of the fifth. An RBI single to short centerfield brought home another Gator, before a grand slam gave Florida a seven-run cushion. Veronique Johnson took over pitching duties in the circle for Felde, who finished with a career-best three strikeouts in four innings of work. Florida's offense momentum continued, as the Gators jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the top of the fifth.
The Redbirds' third hit of the game came from Felde with one out in the bottom half of the inning, but Florida's defense kept her at first base for the final two outs to secure the game.
Illinois State will continue the Aquafina Invitational on Saturday with a rematch against Georgia Southern at 10:30 a.m. before taking on Iowa State at 6 p.m. Tournament action will conclude on Sunday for the Redbirds at 7 a.m. against Maryland.
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