BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Illinois State (2-10) split on the second day of the Hilltopper Spring Fling as the Redbirds earned a win over the Dayton Flyers (1-6), but lost 4-3, in walk-off fashion, to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (11-1).
Junior pitcher Hannah Ross tossed a one-hitter, complete game shutout against the Flyers in a 1-0 victory for the Redbirds in the first game of the day. Ross' complete game is the first of her career as is the shutout, and it is the first complete game thrown by a Redbirds pitcher this season.
GAME ONE (Dayton)
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Addison Masching was the first up and the first to reach as she retained her leadoff spot in the lineup and singled to left field to start the game for the Redbirds.
- Unable to score in the first, the Redbirds did not miss out on the opportunity in the second inning as Delainey Bryant reached on an error followed by a sacrifice bunt by Bella Wilkerson to move Bryant to second. The speedy freshman then scored from second base on a single to center field from Chloe Jefferson, putting the 'Birds on the board first, 1-0.
- Although the Redbirds had a prime opportunity to score again in the top of the sixth, as they loaded the bases with no outs, Illinois State came up empty.
- One run proved enough for Illinois State to top Dayton, as the Redbirds pulled off the 1-0 victory over the Flyers.
- Junior Pitcher Hannah Ross tossed a gem of a game as she kept up a no-hitter through the sixth inning. The Flyers were able to sneak a single into right field to start the seventh, but that was the only hit Ross allowed.
- Illinois State picked up its first shutout of the 2022 season. The last time the Redbirds shutout an opponent was May 8, 2021, against Valparaiso and the 'Birds won 10-0. The last Illinois State one-hitter was on May 7, 2021, also in a win over the Beacons.
GAME TWO (Western Kentucky)
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Redbirds took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Reili Gardner had an infield single and scored the first run of the game as Abby Knight doubled to left center.
- It remained a 1-0 game until the top of the third when Kaili Chval drew a leadoff walk for the Redbirds. After a pair of groundouts, Chval found herself standing on third with Emme Olson coming up to bat. Olson shot an infield single at the shortstop and Chval scored to give Illinois State a 2-0 advantage over the Hilltoppers.
- The 'Birds were able to plate one more run as Dayna Kennedy blasted a solo home run in the top of the fourth, continuing to add to the lead.
- The Hilltoppers started to chip away at the Redbirds' lead in the bottom of the fifth as they hit a solo home run, plating their first run of the game.
- Heading to the bottom of the seventh Illinois State was out in front 3-1, only needing three outs to finish the game. After the first two batters reached, another run scored, making it 3-2. Ross came in to relieve starting pitcher Amanda Fox. A wild pitch from Ross and a throwing error by Kennedy behind the plate allowed Western Kentucky to score two runs and beat the Redbirds in a crazy walk-off finish, ending the game at 4-3.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will close out the Hilltopper Spring Fling in Bowling Green, Ky. tomorrow (Feb. 27) with another contest against the Dayton Flyers (1-6) at 10 a.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.
