TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – After edging Indiana State (6-12, 0-2 MVC) in the series opening game, 4-3, the Illinois State softball team (14-4, 2-0 MVC) used an offensive outburst in the second game of the doubleheader to charge past the Sycamores, 10-0, in five innings.
BIRD BITS – Game 1 (W, 4-3)
Top Offensive Players:
- Mack Leonard: 3-for-3, BB, 2B, HR (accounted for Illinois State's only three hits)
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS – Game 1 (W, 4-3)
- The first pitch of the game was lifted over the centerfield wall by Mack Leonard, as the junior went yard for the second time this season to help the Redbirds take an early lead. An error and three-straight walks issued by the Sycamores increased the Illinois State lead. Another Redbird runner crossed home plate and a sac fly from Brittni LaFountaine extended the lead to four in the opening frame.
- In the top of the fourth, three walks by the Redbirds loaded the bases for the second time in the game, but a strikeout by the Sycamore starting pitcher slammed the door on the inning as Indiana State escaped the jam. Indiana State jumped on the board in the home half of the inning, scratching a run across on a wild pitch, and another on a single to left field.
- The Sycamores continued to threaten in the fifth, as an RBI double brought Indiana State within one. With runners on first and second, Leonard stepped into the circle in relief of Morgan Day. After a play at the plate, a pop up to Leonard left the bases loaded for the Sycamores, as the Redbirds still held a 4-3 lead.
- Leonard and the Redbirds retired Indiana State in order in the bottom of the seventh, securing the series-opening win.
BIRD BITS – Game 2 (W, 10-0 in 5 inn.)
Top Offensive Players:
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS – Game 2 (W, 10-0 in 5 inn.)
- Kaili Chval moved into scoring position on an error by Indiana State in the top of the first, before Emme Olson drew a four-pitch walk to put two on with just one out. In the next at-bat, Dayna Kennedy cleared the bases with a home run over the left center field wall for an early lead for the Redbirds.
- In the next inning, Spenser Strandgard knocked a lead-off double to left field, before helping the Redbirds extend their lead by charging home on another fielding error by the Sycamores.
- With two outs in the third, Jayden Standish delivered her first career triple while Strandgard's second double of the game pushed the Redbirds ahead, 6-0. A single up the middle by Madi Bylak extended Illinois State's lead to seven, before the Sycamores could escape the inning.
- Indiana State made a pitching change in the fourth, but a lead-off walk drawn by Mack Leonard, and singles from Chval and Olson, helped the Redbirds continue their offensive momentum. The Redbirds distanced themselves even further from the Sycamores, as a two-RBI double by Kennedy made it 10-0 in favor of Illinois State.
- Pinch hitters Brandi LaFountaine and Hanna Hicks each drew a walk in the fifth and Leonard grabbed her sixth win in the circle by sitting the Sycamores down in order with the help of the Redbirds' defense.
ON DECK
Illinois State will wrap up its three-game series with the Sycamores tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT, before hosting Northern Illinois in its home opener on Wednesday, March 24 at 4 p.m. At this time, attendance is limited to player pass list only and not open to the public.
To view ISU's full schedule, visit GoRedbirds.com. Game times, dates, opponents and locations are subject to change.
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.
