TEMPE, Ariz. – Illinois State's offense came alive in its opening game of the Littlewood Classic on Friday afternoon, as the Redbirds scored in every inning of their 12-8 win over Boise State (RV). Junior Spenser Strandgard went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to lead ISU, registering her first career double and home run.
BIRD BITS
Top Offensive Players:
- Mack Leonard: 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, HR, BB
- Emme Olson: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, BB
- Spenser Strandgard: 4-for-4, 4 RBI, 2B, HR
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS
- Mack Leonard launched a lead-off home run in the bottom of the opening frame to kickstart ISU's offense, while a two-out single to centerfield by Brittni LaFountaine helped the Redbirds extend their lead.
- Boise State responded with a two-out bomb to level the score at two-all in the top of the second.
- Emme Olson's first triple of the season pushed Leonard and Kenzie Pence across home plate to help ISU regain the lead in the bottom of the inning, before she scored on a pickoff by the Broncos.
- ISU's offense continued to shine in the third, as a single by Kaili Chval sent LaFountaine home to give the Redbirds a four-run advantage.
- In the fourth, Boise State leveled the score at six-all behind a pair of hits and two fielding errors by ISU to bring Leonard into the pitching circle for the Redbirds.
- Spenser Strandgard's first career double in the home half of the fourth pushed ISU back out in front, 8-6, before Boise State came back within one in the fifth.
- Freshman Dayna Kennedy stepped in to pinch hit in the fifth, knocking an RBI double to right center field to give the Redbirds a two-run advantage.
- A big sixth inning by the Redbirds – highlighted by Strandgard's first career long ball – helped ISU extend its lead by five.
- The Broncos responded in the top of the seventh with a sac fly to center field, but a ground out to Andrea Coursey at third sealed the game, 12-8.
ON DECK
Illinois State returns to the field tonight to take on the nationally-ranked tournament host Sun Devils at 5:30 p.m. CT.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB) and Instagram (@redbirdsoftball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.