MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The junior hurler, Hannah Ross, joins an elite group of Redbirds as only the third pitcher in program history to toss a perfect game. Ross' flawless seven innings against UT Martin (12-7) led Illinois State to a walk-off win over the Skyhawks. The Redbirds (8-12) were 2-0 on the day as they defeated Chattanooga (10-11) earlier, 5-2.
The last perfect game thrown by a Redbird was on Feb. 27. 2011, by Taylor Baxter. Prior to 2011, the only other perfect game in Illinois State softball history was Apr. 24, 1990, with Lana Davis in the circle.
GAME ONE (Chattanooga)
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Chattanooga Mocs were on the board first as they singled followed by an error to take an early 1-0 lead.
- The Redbirds retaliated in the bottom half of the first as Addison Masching singled through the left side to leadoff. Reili Gardner also singled through the left side to extend her hit streak to eight consecutive games and has reached base safely in 9 straight contests. Emme Olson then doubled to left center, scoring Masching and advancing Gardner to third.
- A wild pitch allowed Gardner to score and Olson to move up a bag. Abby Knight got hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners for Kaili Chval. Chval grounded out to the shortstop, but collected an RBI as Olson was able to score and Knight ended up on third. Brandi LaFountaine then hit an RBI single that scored Knight, giving the Redbirds a 4-1 lead after one inning.
- The Redbirds picked up another run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Olson crushed her second home run of the season to right field.
- The Mocs also recorded a home run in the top half of the sixth, but Illinois State shut them down and won the game 5-2.
GAME TWO (UT Martin)
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Not one Skyhawk reached base against the Redbirds as Ross tossed a perfect seven frames with her defense backing her up all night. She struck out a career high five batters against UT Martin.
- The Redbirds had a total of two hits against UT Martin. Delainey Bryant singled in the bottom of the fifth inning to break up the Skyhawks' no-hitter, but Illinois State came up empty.
- The true pitchers' duel ended when Jayden Standish took the first pitch she saw to deep left field, blasting a walk-off solo home run in the seventh inning to give the Redbirds the win and make the perfect game official.
Fischer on Ross and the game versus UT Martin: "It was just a really great game. It was a true pitchers' duel. Hannah [Ross] kept doing what she was doing. She kept her composure the entire game, she had her rhythm going, and her confidence was up. Our defense made some great plays behind her as well, and Jayden [Standish] really stepped up in that final at-bat. I am so very proud of Hannah [Ross] and how our team played overall."
ON DECK
The Redbirds will play Middle Tennessee (10-13) tomorrow (Mar. 11) at 11 a.m. CT followed by a contest against fellow Missouri Valley Conference member, Northern Iowa (7-9), at 3 p.m. CT.
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