NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team (28-8, 14-4 MVC) used a sixth-inning rally to overcome UNI (26-17, 16-7 MVC) in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, before falling in the second game.
BIRD BITS – Game 1 (W, 5-4)
Top Offensive Players:
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS – Game 1 (W, 5-4)
- Starting hurler Morgan Day allowed just one walk while striking out four, before a two-run homer helped UNI scratch a pair of runs on the board in the third. Another long ball lifted over the wall by the Panthers in the fourth extended their lead.
- A single from Spenser Strandgard, followed by a UNI error, moved the senior in scoring position with one out in the home half of the inning. Jayden Standish's second double of the day sent Strandgard charging home, while an RBI single up the middle by Mack Leonard brought ISU within one.
- UNI's Sammey Bunch launched her second home run of the game in the fifth to push the Panthers ahead, 4-2.
- A lead-off triple from Standish, followed by RBI single from pinch hitter Brittni LaFountaine, brought ISU within one again to force a UNI pitching change in the sixth. A pair of walks quickly loaded the bases, before Bunch's second error of the game brought home runner Rebecca Moffett to level the score at four-all.
- A sac fly to left field by Dayna Kennedy pushed ISU ahead, helping the Redbirds come away with the 5-4 victory.
BIRD BITS – Game 2 (W, 9-0 in 5 innings)
Top Offensive Players:
Pitching Breakdown:
BY THE NUMBERS / KEY INNINGS – Game 2 (W, 9-0 in 5 innings)
- The Panthers walked in a run after a batter was hit by a pitch before Mack Leonard's second strikeout closed the door on the opening frame.
- A solo home run in the second inning extended UNI's lead.
- The visitors tacked on seven runs in the top of the fourth to hold a commanding 9-0 lead. Andrea Coursey knocked a triple to right field in the home half of the inning, before crossing home plate to help the Redbirds add a run to the board.
- Illinois State sat down in order in the fifth, as the Panthers sealed the win in the second game to even the series at one-game apiece.
ON DECK
Illinois State will wrap up the three-game series with UNI tomorrow at 11 a.m., before finishing the regular season on the road at Valparaiso next weekend.
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.
