CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team dropped a heartbreaker to in-state rival Illinois on Wednesday night in its first mid-week contest of the season, falling 2-1 with a seventh-inning rally by the Illini.
BIRD BITS AT ILLINOIS (L, 2-1)
Top Performers:
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS AT ILLINOIS (L, 2-1)
- Local product Morgan Day earned her 14th start of the season in the circle, sitting down the Illini in order with three-straight strikeouts to start the game.
- An error by Illinois' shortstop in the top of the second brought Andrea Coursey across home plate, after the sophomore knocked a two-out double against the right center field wall for ISU's first hit of the game.
- The Illini leveled the score at one-all with a lead-off home run over the center field wall in the bottom of the fifth.
- Alyssa Wiebel registered the Redbirds' second hit of the game in the top of the sixth, bringing a new pitcher to the circle for Illinois with two on and one out.
- In the top of the seventh, Taylor Vanderpool drew a lead-off walk – ISU's fourth free base of the game – and moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt laid down by Shannon Felde, before a close play at first ended the top of the frame to keep the game knotted at one-all.
- Illinois rallied to hand ISU the 2-1 heartbreaking loss on a single to left field with one out in the final frame.
ON DECK
Illinois State will play its first home series of 2019 this weekend when it hosts Missouri Valley Conference opponent UNI at Marian Kneer Stadium.
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