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Illinois State University Athletics

Mack Leonard
9
Winner Illinois State ILS 1-0
3
USF USF 0-1
Winner
Illinois State ILS
1-0
9
Final
3
USF USF
0-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Illinois State ILS 0 4 1 0 0 0 4 9 6 3
USF USF 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 7 2

W: Day, Morgan (1-0) L: CORRICK, G. (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball | | Shelby Hild

Illinois State Hands USF 9-3 Loss in Season Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The Illinois State softball team used a four-run second inning to take an early lead over USF (RV) on Thursday afternoon, before sealing the game, 9-3, with a four-run seventh inning, to win its first season opener since the 2015 season. The Redbirds' victory against the Bulls marks the program's first since the 2013 campaign, squashing a six-game losing skid against USF. Additionally, ISU's nine runs are the most scored by the Redbirds in a nonconference contest since the 2018 slate.

BIRD BITS

Top Offensive Players:

Pitching Breakdown:

  • Morgan Day: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 12 K (matches career-high)

BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS

  • Andrea Coursey kick-started ISU's offensive production in the top of the second inning, knocking a one-out double down the left field line. Senior Kadi Borries followed with her first career double and RBI to give the Redbirds their first run of the 2020 season and an early lead. Three walks issued to the Redbirds, paired with a USF error and a single from Mack Leonard, helped ISU surge ahead, 4-0, heading into the bottom of the inning.  
  • Coursey's bat stayed hot in the third, lifting a lead-off home run over the left field wall to give ISU a five-run advantage and force a pitching change by the Bulls.
  • USF jumped on the board in the bottom of the third, tacking a trio of runs.
  • Freshman Chloe Jefferson stepped up to the dish to pinch hit in the top of the seventh, drawing a walk in her first career at-bat, before Spenser Strandgard drew her third walk of the game to bring the Bulls' starting pitcher back to the circle. Kaili Chval registered her first collegiate hit and RBI with one out to help the Redbirds regain a three-run lead.
  • In the next at-bat, Leonard launched her first career home run – a three run-shot – over the left field wall for a 9-3 cushion.
  • Morgan Day fanned two batters in the final inning to secure her first collegiate opening-day win, matching a career-high 12 strikeouts.

ON DECK

Illinois State will resume action at the USF-Rawlings Invitational on Friday, when it takes on a pair of nationally-ranked opponents in Michigan (1 p.m. CT) and Florida (5:45 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.

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