CHICAGO, Ill. – Illinois State (13-23, 4-5 MVC) continued its winning streak against the Ramblers (16-15, 3-6 MVC), as freshman Morgan Day hurled her third shutout of the season in the circle to give the Redbirds a 3-0 series-opening victory.
Riley Hale led off the top of the first with a single to Loyola's pitcher before a sac bunt by Andrea Coursey moved Hale to second and a ground out by the Redbirds moved the junior to third base. A two-out single up the middle by Shannon Felde pushed Hale across home plate for a 1-0 Illinois State lead. The Ramblers knocked a one-out double into right center field, but a strikeout by Day and a line out to Caitlyn Daly in left field ended the first inning of play.
Loyola sent the Redbirds down in order for the only time during the second inning. In the home half, the Ramblers drew a lead-off walk before three-straight ground outs closed the frame.
Catcher Lauren Prader hit an infield single to lead off the third inning to restart Illinois State's momentum at the plate. A fielder's choice sac bunt by Abby Turczyn placed a pair of runners on base before a sac bunt by Hale moved the duo into scoring position. A two-out walk was issued to Allison Spence, but a fielder's choice kept the Redbirds at a one-run lead.
Riley Strandgard reached first base to open the fourth inning on a fielding error by Loyola's second baseman. In the next at-bat, Alyssa Wiebel launched her second home run of the season over the left center field wall to push Illinois State out to a 3-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the inning, Day continued to battle in the circle by fanning back-to-back Ramblers to send Loyola down in order. A quiet fifth inning brought Wiebel back to the dish to lead-off the sixth. The sophomore drew a four-pitch walk to put a base runner on and advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs, but the Rambler defense held Illinois State from extending its lead.
Day and the Redbird defense sent Loyola down in order for the final two innings to take the 3-0 series-opening win over the Ramblers. The freshman finished the game with six strikeouts, while only allowing a pair of hits and three walks. With the victory, Day improves to 6-6 on the season.
Illinois State and Loyola will look to complete the three-game set tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. – weather permitting. Be sure to visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB) for up-to-date information regarding the remainder of the series.
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