NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team (11-23, 2-5 MVC) bounced back from a series opening setback to Indiana State (16-13, 4-3 MVC) on Friday, capturing the 4-3 victory over the visiting Sycamores in game two of the doubleheader.
Game Two – ILS 4, INS 3
In the second game of the twin bill, the Sycamores led off with a single before a two-run shot over the centerfield wall put Indiana State ahead early on, 2-0. Riley Hale knocked a lead-off single up the middle, but was unable to make it any further. Starting pitcher Morgan Day settled in in the top of the second, throwing back-to-back strikeouts before a fly out to Caitlyn Daly in left field sent the Sycamores down in order.
A lead-off home run over the centerfield wall by senior Riley Strandgard put Illinois State on the board in the bottom of the second. The shortstop's long ball marked the third of the season and 24th in her career. Back-to-back-to-back singles by Alyssa Wiebel, Day and Abby Turczyn loaded the bases for the Redbirds. An issued walk dealt to Hale brought the tying run home for Illinois State.
A quick line out into a 6-3 double play helped the Redbirds end any momentum the Sycamores had in the fourth, before Indiana State turned in a double play of its own in the bottom of the inning. Strandgard was issued a one-out walk in the home half of the fifth, and Wiebel knocked a single up the middle, to force another Indiana State pitching change. The Sycamores' new pitcher in the circle didn't faze the Redbirds, as Caitlyn Daly singled to right field to load the bases with just one out. An Indiana State wild pitch brought Strandgard home from third to give Illinois State the two-run lead.
In the top of the sixth, the Sycamores responded with a solo shot over the centerfield wall to cut into the Redbirds' lead, but Day and the Redbirds stood firm through the next inning to take the 4-3 victory.
Game One – ILS 1, INS 5
Illinois State registered its first two hits of the first game in the bottom of the first inning, with back-to-back singles by Allison Spence and Shannon Felde. The Redbirds battled in the bottom of the frame but were held off the board. In the top of the second, a lead-off walk issued to a Sycamore, followed by a single up the middle, put runners on the corners for Indiana State. A 5-2-6-4 run down got the Sycamore out at second base to close the top of the inning before the Redbirds were sent down in order in the bottom of the frame.
A double to left field by Indiana State put the Sycamores on the board. A big strikeout by Sarah Finck in the circle closed the top of the inning, keeping Indiana State out ahead by just one run. In the home half of the inning, back-to-back walks issued to Lauren Prader and Alex Caliva started Illinois State's third inning push. A double to centerfield by Felde brought Prader home to knot the game at one-all.
Indiana State broke the tie in the top of the fifth inning, bringing a pair of runners home to take a 3-1 lead over the Redbirds. In the top of the sixth, two more runners touched home plate for the Sycamores, as Indiana State held a four-one advantage going into the seventh inning.
Pinch hitter Riley Phipps stepped up to the dish in with two outs and launched a single into centerfield to continue Illinois State's fight. Riley Hale was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat to bring in a new pitcher for Indiana State, who shut down the Redbirds' comeback to take game one of the doubleheader and three-game series.
Illinois State has altered its series finale on Saturday with a previously scheduled 12 p.m. first pitch being switched to 2 p.m. due to expected inclement weather in the morning. The series finale is set to be broadcast on The Valley On ESPN3.
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