NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team (18-27, 9-9 MVC) held the league-leading Drake Bulldogs (35-9, 18-0 MVC) to just three runs – its fewest since the series finale at Valparaiso – in Sunday's series finale at Marian Kneer Stadium.
After back-to-back unassisted ground outs to Allison Spence at first base, Drake drew a two-out walk to put a base runner on, but starting pitcher Shannon Felde and the Redbird defense held the Bulldogs off the scoreboard. The junior stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the frame and launched a one-out single to left center field, but was caught stealing for the final out of the opening inning.
The Bulldogs hit a lead-off single to left field and drew a two-out walk before a double to left field put Drake on the board, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. After loading up the bases, a single brought Drake's second base runner home but Felde and the Redbirds worked out of the bases loaded jam to keep the Bulldogs ahead by just two runs.
Illinois State was sent down in order in the bottom of the second and bottom of the third to keep the Redbirds off base. In the top of the fourth, Drake's starting pitcher Nicole Newman grounded into a double play for two quick outs before a pop up in foul territory to Brittni LaFountaine closed the inning. Right fielder Riley Hale led off the home half of the fourth with a single to right field, but a fielder's choice kept the Redbird runner from reaching second base. A two-out single by Alyssa Wiebel put a pair of runners on for Illinois State, but the duo were left stranded and kept the Redbirds from scratching a run across.
A lead-off single up the middle in the fifth forced Illinois State to make a pitching change, bringing Morgan Day to the circle. Drake added a run to the board to take a three-run lead. Drake led off with a bunt single in the sixth, but Drake's Newman lined into her second double play of the game to record two more quick outs and a fly out to Kori Mesecher in left field ended the top of the inning.
In the bottom of the frame, Hale hit her second single of the game up the middle but back-to-back infield pop ups kept the junior on first base and the Redbirds off the board. In the seventh, pinch hitter Lauren Prader stepped up to the dish and singled to left field for the Redbirds' fifth and final hit of the game, as the Bulldogs secured the 3-0 win to end the series and remain perfect in Valley play.
Bradley will make the return trip to Illinois State next Tuesday, April 24, at 5 p.m. for the third and final game of the series, after the two programs split the series-opening doubleheader last Thursday.
The series finale has been tabbed 'Pack the Park' night at Marian Kneer Stadium. In order to help Redbird Softball break the attendance record, the first 120 students will receive a ticket to cash in for Reggie Redbird socks at the fifth-inning stretch. Hot dogs will be on sale at the concession stand for $1, courtesy of Sodexo, and Alamo II will be on-site selling the latest Redbird apparel.
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