TEMPE, Ariz. – The Redbirds (0-8) had a challenging day as they dropped their first game to (RV) Minnesota (5-4) in an eight-inning thriller and lost in five innings to No. 23/21 Arizona State (6-2), despite a pair of home runs from the freshmen Bella Wilkerson and Abby Knight in the top of the fifth inning.
GAME 1 (RV – Minnesota)
BIRD BITS
Offensive highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Amanda Fox: 6.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 H, 3B, 3 HR, 3 BB, 4 SO
- Hannah Ross: 0.2 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 2B, HR, BB
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The top of the first inning was productive for the Redbirds as they were able to strike first and take an early 2-0 lead on the Gophers. It all started with a leadoff walk by Addison Masching and Reili Gardner followed with a single up the middle. With two runners on, no outs, Emme Olson sliced a double to left center, scoring Masching. Rebecca Moffett loaded the bases as she drew a four-pitch walk, with the designated player, freshman Abby Knight, on deck. Knight singled through the left side, recording her first collegiate hit and Gardner crossed the plate to give the Redbirds an early 2-0 advantage over the Gophers.
- In the home half of the third, the Gophers cut the Redbirds' lead to one as they hit a two-out solo shot to left center. Later, in the fifth, Minnesota collected another solo shot to right center to tie the game at two.
- Down to their last out in the top of the seventh, after Masching and Olson reached safely on a pair of singles, Delainey Bryant checked into the game to pinch hit. She ripped a triple to right center, knocking in Masching and Olson to regain the lead. Bryant then scored on a wild pitch to put Illinois State back on top, 5-2, heading into the last frame.
- Minnesota hit its third solo home run of the day followed by a triple and a walk. Both the runners scored on a double, tying the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh and forcing extra-innings.
- After a scoreless top of the eighth for the Redbirds, the Gophers smashed their fourth home run, this one a two-run shot to right center field, to end the game.
GAME 2 (No.23/21 Arizona State)
BIRD BITS
Offensive highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Annie Volkers: 0.0 IP, R, ER, 4 BB
- Emma Hicks: 1.1 IP, 5 H, 2 2B, HR, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, SO
- Hannah Ross: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2B, 5 R, 2 ER, HP
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Annie Volkers made her collegiate debut as the starting pitcher for Illinois State. She walked the first four batters she faced, forcing a pitching change as the Sun Devils took a 1-0 lead. Freshman Emma Hicks replaced Volkers and got out of the first without giving up another run.
- Arizona State collected a pair of doubles, a pair of walks, a pair of singles and a three-run home run to force another change in the circle for Illinois State. Hannah Ross entered the game for the 'Birds and allowed one more run to cross before the bottom of the second was over, giving the Sun Devils a 7-0 lead over the Redbirds.
- The Sun Devils added two runs to their lead in the bottom of the third, making it nine to nothing. They were able to plate three more in the fourth to make it 12-0.
- The Redbirds did not record a hit until the top of the fifth when Knight smashed her first home run of the season to right center field. After ASU collected an out from the next better, Bella Wilkerson went deep to center field, collecting her first home run as a Redbird, bringing the score to 12-2. Unable to plate any more runs, the Redbirds fell in five innings to nationally-ranked Arizona State.
ON DECK
Illinois State will close out the Littlewood Classic by taking on the Portland State Vikings (6-3), for the first time in program history, tomorrow, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. CT.
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