TEMPE, Ariz. – Illinois State softball sophomore Mack Leonard launched her fourth home run of the season, and third to lead off an inning, in Saturday afternoon's 7-1 setback to No. 10 Kentucky at the Littlewood Classic.
QUOTING COACH FISCHER
On team's overall performance on Saturday...
"I thought we got some pretty good individual performances. We've gone through four games now, and we're in our second weekend, and I think we're seeing improvements in a lot of areas with different individuals at different times, which is always encouraging. Collectively, we need to concentrate on generating some team offense. Moving forward, we have one more game against Detroit Mercy and we will see what we can do."
BIRD BITS
Top Offensive Players:
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS
- Morgan Day delivered early in the circle for the Redbirds, striking out the side in the opening frame, while fanning four total batters through the first two innings.
- Mack Leonard connected with the first pitch dispatched to her by the Kentucky starting pitcher, launching her fourth long ball of the season over the right-center field wall.
- Kentucky jumped on the board and in the lead with a two RBI homer to center field in the fourth, before extending its lead in the inning with an RBI double to sit at a 3-1 advantage.
- A single through the left side helped push the Wildcats ahead, 4-1, despite a single to left field by Alyssa Wiebel in the sixth inning.
- A three-run shot to right field in the top of the seventh aided Kentucky's efforts to seal the game, 7-1.
ON DECK
Illinois State will wrap up its 30th-straight appearance at Arizona State's Littlewood Classic on Sunday, when it takes on Detroit Mercy at 11 a.m. CT.
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