TAMPA, Fla. – The Illinois State softball team (0-3) faced its first nationally-ranked opponent on Friday night, falling to No. 5 Florida (1-0), 15-0, in five innings.
BY THE NUMBERS
· Allison Spence's lone hit for Illinois State marks the second time in as many outings against the Gators, that the first baseman has registered a hit.
· Junior Kadi Borries earned her first career start, starting at second base for the Redbirds.
· Illinois State's game against Florida tonight signified the sixth-straight year that the two programs have squared off during season-opening weekend. The Redbirds will play the Gators four times this season, including a single game at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Arizona, next weekend and twice in Gainesville, Florida. The four games in a single season between the Redbirds and the Gators is the most in their series history, which dates back to 2007.
· Spenser Strandgard stepped up to the plate for her first career at-bat tonight, flying out to left field.
· The Redbirds only gave up four walks to the Gators - the fewest given out to Florida in a match-up since the Gators were ranked No. 1 on March 3, 2016. In that game, Illinois State gave up just two walks in a 7-2 loss.
BIRD BITS
Top Offensive Player:
· Allison Spence: 1-for-1
Pitching Breakdown:
· Shannon Felde: 2.0 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 1 BB
· Mack Leonard: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB
· Ali Domkuski: 1.0, 2 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K
ON DECK
Two more ranked opponents await the Redbirds to close the USF Opening Weekend Invitational, as Illinois State will take on No. 7/6 Arizona on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. CT and No. 19/14 Michigan at 8 a.m. CT on Sunday.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB) and Instagram (@redbirdsoftball).
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