DES MOINES, Iowa – The Illinois State softball team (20-5, 7-1) used a six-run fifth inning to secure its 20th win of the season on Saturday afternoon, taking down Drake (6-21, 2-7 MVC), 9-3, while improving to 7-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Saturday's series-clinching victory marked the first time since 2017 that the Redbirds have taken the series over the Bulldogs.
BIRD BITS
Top Offensive Players:
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS
- Drake used an RBI double to scratch a pair of runs across in the opening frame.
- With bases loaded and two outs in the second, back-to-back singles by Kaili Chval and Emme Olson helped the Redbirds jump ahead, 3-2.
- Morgan Day and the Redbird defense settled in and sat the Bulldogs down in order in the third and fourth innings.
- In the top of the fifth, three 'Birds drew walks to load the bases, before pinch hitter Andrea Coursey singled to the Bulldog relief pitcher to drive Dayna Kennedy home. Four more singles and a walk by the Redbirds highlighted a six-run fifth inning to give ISU a commanding 9-2 advantage.
- Day struck out the side in the home half of the fifth, before Drake earned a run back in the sixth.
- The Bulldogs went down in order in the final frame to help the Redbirds win their 20th game of the season and improve to 7-1 in MVC play.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will return home next weekend and host Missouri State in a three-game series. Attendance is currently limited to player pass list only and tickets are not available to the general public.
To view ISU's full schedule and find ways to follow the Redbirds, 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.