STILLWATER, Okla. – Illinois State (9-17) was unable to recover the early scoring done by the nationally-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls (20-6) on Tuesday, falling 9-1 in six innings. Senior Riley Strandgard bombed her first home run of the season, and 22nd of her career, in the setback.
Junior Shannon Felde hit a lead-off single through the left side for Illinois State to start the game. A one-out single by Allison Spence through the similar spot as Felde put two on for the Redbirds. Outfielder Riley Hale was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but all Redbird runners would be left stranded. In the bottom of the frame, a double down the right field line put Oklahoma State on the board and kept a pair of runners in scoring position. The Cowgirls scratched one more across to hold a 2-0 lead after one inning of play.
A five-run second inning by Oklahoma State pushed the Cowgirls out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. A lead-off home run by Strandgard the top of the fourth put Illinois State on the board. The shortstop's long ball was just the second homer given up by Oklahoma State's starting pitcher. A two-out single by Alyssa Wiebel put another runner on base for the Redbirds, but she would ultimately be left stranded.
In the bottom of the fourth, back-to-back strikeouts by senior Sarah Finck helped keep the Cowgirls off the board for the first inning of the game.
After being put down in order in the top of the fifth, a line drive to Abby Turczyn resulted in a double play at second base by Illinois State to end the inning. In the top of the sixth, Hale was dealt a two-out walk but wasn't able to add another run to the board for the Redbirds. Morgan Day entered the circle for the Redbirds in the bottom of the frame, but Oklahoma State tacked on its ninth run to take the game, 9-1, in six innings.
Illinois State will conclude its tour of the Sooner State tomorrow with a game at Tulsa, before opening Missouri Valley Conference play at Missouri State this weekend.
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