Redbirds Split on Final Day of MTSU Invitational

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Illinois State (9-13) dropped its first game of the day 0-3 to Middle Tennessee (10-15), but the Redbirds rallied to win their final game of the MTSU Invitational against the Northern Iowa Panthers (8-10), besting them 8-3.

GAME ONE (Middle Tennessee)

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Emme Olson: 1-for-3, 2B
• Delainey Bryant: 1-for-1, 2B

Pitching Breakdown:

• Amanda Fox: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Two of Illinois State's four hits came in the first inning. Emme Olson started the Redbirds' off with a double down the right field line, followed by an infield single for Abby Knight. A fly ball to center field ending the inning before any runs could score.
• The Redbirds put another pair on the bases in the top of the second inning when Kaili Chval drew a walk and Dayna Kennedy got hit by a pitch, but Illinois State could not capitalize.
• The Redbirds recorded another hit in the top of the fourth as Rebecca Moffett had a two-out infield single to move Chval over to second as she had previously drawn her second walk of the game. 
• The Blue Raiders were able to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a double and an error, ending the Redbirds 12-straight scoreless innings. 
• Delainey Bryant collected one more hit for the Redbirds in a pinch-hit appearance in the top of the seventh, but Illinois State came up empty, dropping game one of the day to Middle Tennessee.

GAME TWO (Northern Iowa)

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Emme Olson: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, R, HBP
• Reili Gardner: 3-for-5, 2 RBI
• Bella Wilkerson: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
• Delainey Bryant: 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, 2 R

Pitching Breakdown:

• Hannah Ross: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
• Amanda Fox: 2.0 IP, H, 3 BB

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Olson gave the Redbirds the lead in the first inning on a solo shot to right field, but the Panthers quickly retaliated, plating a run in the bottom half of the inning to make it even at 1-1.
• Illinois State regained the lead in the top of the third inning as Chval drew a leadoff walk and Reili Gardner delivered an RBI single to right center field.  
• Northern Iowa was able to tie it up in the fourth on an RBI single through the left side, making it 2-2.
• Olson collected her second hit and RBI of the game on a single to center field that scored Bryant and put the Redbirds back on top. 
• In the sixth, Illinois State extended its lead to 4-2 as Olson got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Panthers brought it back within one as they blasted a solo home run to left field in the bottom half of the inning.
• The Redbirds broke it open in the seventh inning, scoring four runs. Bella Wilkerson smashed a two-RBI double to right center field and scored later on a triple by Bryant. Gardner then registered her third hit of the night, an RBI infield single, to score Bryant. 
• After the first two Panthers reached in the bottom half of the seventh, Amanda Fox was able to hold them off and pick up the save for the Redbirds with a final score of 8-3. 

ON DECK

Illinois State opens conference play on Mar. 19-20 with a three-game series against the Missouri State Lady Bears in Springfield, Mo. Saturday, Mar. 19 will include a double header starting at noon CT followed by a single game on Sunday, Mar. 20 at noon CT.

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