NORMAL, Ill. – The visiting Valparaiso Crusaders (25-24, 12-13 MVC) scratched a pair of runs across in the second inning, and again in the seventh, to spoil the Illinois State softball team's (20-32, 11-14 MVC) senior day on Sunday.
The Crusaders were sent down in order in the opening frame with a pair of Morgan Day's strikeouts. Shannon Felde and Allison Spence knocked back-to-back singles into left field and straight at the pitcher for two quick hits for the Redbirds, but were left stranded on base.
A two-run home run in the top of the second broke scoring open for Valpo, but a ground out to Andrea Coursey at third base limited the Crusaders from getting back on base. In the bottom of the inning, Caitlyn Daly hit a one-out single to left field, before a passed ball by Valpo's catcher moved her into scoring position. Brittni LaFountaine drew a walk in the next at-bat, but neither could make it around the bases.
A pair of singles, to go along with a walk, to lead off the third inning quickly loaded the bases for the Crusaders with just one out. Back-to-back fly outs helped Illinois State escape the bases loaded jam with just a two-run deficit. After being sent down in order in the home half of the inning, Day and the Redbird defense returned the favor for the next three innings, including a three-strikeout sixth inning to give the freshman six strikeouts in the game.
In the top of the seventh, Valpo registered a pair of singles before a two-out single up the middle brought the pair of runners home to give the Crusaders a 4-0 cushion. Illinois State didn't give in, as Riley Hale launched a solo shot over the centerfield wall to put the Redbirds on the board, but a pop up to Valpo's second baseman helped the Crusaders take the game, 4-1.
Illinois State has claimed the No. 7 seed in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Softball Championship, set to be hosted by the Drake Bulldogs, May 10-12 in Des Moines, Iowa. The Redbirds will face off against No. 6 seed UNI at 1:32 p.m. on Thursday. The winner of that game will then take on No. 3 Southern Illinois, who has earned a first-round bye. For complete championship coverage, fans can visit the MVC's championship central page.
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