SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Illinois State (9-21, 0-3 MVC) took Missouri State (16-10, 3-0 MVC) to the Redbirds' fifth extra-inning game this season to close the three-game series, but the Bears walked away with the 8-7 victory in the bottom of the ninth.
Senior Alex Caliva jump started Illinois State's bats on Saturday afternoon, hitting a one-out single over the Missouri State third baseman's head. After stealing second, a single dumped into right field by Shannon Felde brought the senior home to put Illinois State on the board.
Catcher Lauren Prader was dealt a two-out walk in the top of the second, but couldn't scratch another run across for the Redbirds. In the bottom of the frame, the Bears made a threat, but the Redbird defense stood firm to keep Missouri State off the board.
A big third inning – propelled by a double into left field by Allison Spence and a two-run bomb over the centerfield wall by Felde – pushed Illinois State ahead, 4-0, to force a pitching change by the Bears. Felde's home run is her fourth of the season and sixth of her career. It also marked the third home run in five games for the Redbirds. The change in the circle couldn't phase the Redbirds, as Riley Strandgard stepped in and launched a triple into right center field. A walk issued to Caitlyn Daly put Redbird runners on the corners, but the pair would be left stranded on a line out to the first baseman to close the top of the inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Bears put a base runner on, but a line out into a 6-3 double play ended the third.
The Redbirds were sent down in order for the first time in the top of the fourth, before the Bears tacked on three runs in the bottom of the frame to cut into Illinois State's lead.
Spence was dealt a lead-off walk in the fifth, bringing Missouri State's third pitcher of the day into the game and Kadi Borries in to pinch run at first. A fielder's choice and throwing error by the Bears' pitcher put a pair of runners on for Illinois State with one out. A double to left field by Riley Phipps brought Felde across home plate, before a sac fly to centerfield by Daly pushed the Redbirds back out to a three-run lead. Relief pitcher Morgan Day and the Redbird defense battled to send the Bears down in order to close the fifth inning.
Alyssa Wiebel made her way to second base on an error by Missouri State's right fielder in the top of the sixth, but was thrown out at home in the next at-bat. With Riley Hale standing on third base and just a single out, the Bears went to their bullpen to bring a fourth pitcher to the circle. A single through the right side by Caliva brought Hale home to put Illinois State out in front, 7-3.
After back-to-back walks were issued to Missouri State, Sarah Finck entered the game to pitch for the Redbirds. A triple to deep centerfield by the Bears, followed by a single, brought a trio across home plate for Missouri State to bring the Bears within one. A ground out to Caliva helped Illinois State escape the inning without any more damage.
Strandgard dropped a lead-off single to left field, but the next three Redbirds were retired to send the game into the bottom of the inning. A double by the Bears brought the tying run in for Missouri State, but a big strikeout by Finck sent the game into extra innings.
A scoreless eighth inning by both sides continued free softball, before a walk-off home run lifted the Bears past the Redbirds for the three-game sweep.
Illinois State will play its second MVC series on the road at Southern Illinois next weekend before hosting Indiana State for its home opener on March 30-31.
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