GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Georgia Southern (10-3) added runs on the board for four-consecutive innings, and held Illinois State (4-9) to just two hits, to take the opening game of a split doubleheader for the Redbirds on the second day of the Aquafina Invitational.
The Eagles jumped on the board early in the game to take a 1-0 lead after the opening inning of play. Georgia Southern added another run in the second, before a three-run long ball over the left field wall put the Eagles out in front, 5-0. A leaping catch in left field by Caitlyn Daly helped the Redbirds escape the inning without any more damage. In the bottom of the frame, Lauren Prader launched a lead-off double to left field for Illinois State's first hit, but the next three Redbirds were sent down in order to leave the senior stranded.
With bases loaded, Georgia Southern added its sixth run to the board but a ground out to Shannon Felde in the circle ended the top half of the inning while leaving three Eagles stranded. Another Georgia Southern run in the top of the fifth pushed the Eagles to a seven-run advantage going into the bottom of the inning. Wiebel was dealt Illinois State's third walk of the game to start the fourth, but wouldn't advance any further.
In the top of the fifth, Felde and the Redbird defense sent the Eagles down in order for the first time bringing pinch hitter Riley Phipps to the plate to begin the bottom of the frame for Illinois State. The senior remained patient at the plate to draw a walk and put the Redbirds on base. A two-out line drive down the left field line by Allison Spence put runners on the corners, but a line out to the pitcher in the next at-bat left Illinois State stranded.
The Redbirds sent the Eagles down in order for the second-straight inning in the top of the sixth. Newcomer Andrea Coursey stepped up to the plate, drawing the fifth issued Illinois State walk of the game. A 4-6-3 double play by Georgia Southern kept the Redbirds off the board in the sixth, sending both teams to a full inning of play.
Felde recorded her fourth strikeout of the game to end the top of the seventh, giving the Redbird utility player a career-high in strikeouts for the second time during the tournament after putting down three batters in four innings of work against No. 2 Florida the night before. Three-straight ground outs by the Redbirds helped Georiga Southern to the 7-0 shutout victory over Illinois State.
The Redbirds will take on Iowa State tonight at approximate 6 p.m. before closing out the Aquafina Invitational at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning against Maryland.
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