Illinois State Drops Series to Missouri State

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After earning a 10-2 win over the Bears in the series opener, Illinois State (10-15, 1-2 MVC) dropped the final two games of the three-game set to Missouri State (10-13, 3-2 MVC) in the Redbirds' opening weekend of Missouri Valley Conference play in Springfield, Mo. on Sunday.

The doubleheader was a pair of defensive battles for both squads with a total of only eight runs scored on the day. The Redbirds and the Bears played an 11-inning first game that ultimately went in favor of Missouri State on a walk-off RBI double, winning 3-2. The second game also ended in walk-off fashion as the Bears scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the second contest 2-1. 

BIRD BITS (Game 1)

Offensive Highlights:

• Emme Olson: 2-for-4, RBI, BB
• Delainey Bryant: 1-for-4, BB, R
• Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-3

Pitching Breakdown:

• Amanda Fox: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO, WP
• Hannah Ross: 4.2 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 5 SO, WP

HOW IT HAPPENED

• This marks the 11^th game the Redbirds have scored in the first inning as Illinois State took an early 1-0 lead. Delainey Bryant led off the inning with a single to left field and Emme Olson followed up with an RBI double, her seventh double of the season. 
• It was truly a defensively battle in Springfield as the two teams had a combined 8 hits through five innings, but both coming up empty after that opening frame. 
• The Bears plated their first run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1. 
• The squads traded runs in the sixth as Rebecca Moffett scored as a pinch runner on an error in the top half, but Missouri State responded with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning. The game was tied 2-2 after six.
• Bella Wilkerson singled in the seventh and was in scoring position, but the game would remain tied, leading to an extra inning contest between the Bears and the 'Birds. 
• Hannah Ross entered in relief of Amanda Fox in the bottom of the seventh. Fox went 6.0 innings with four strikeouts and only one walk issued.
• Illinois State had another chance in the top of the ninth when Michele Calabrese walked and stole second to put her in scoring position, but the Redbirds came up empty. 
• Missouri State threatened in the ninth and tenth innings as well, not capitalizing on either opporunity. In the ninth, the Bears left a runner stranded on second. In the tenth inning, the Bears had a runner on third, but the Redbirds got the runner out at home on a fielder's choice hit to Bryant at shortstop, Wilkerson applying the tag at the plate. Wilkerson connected with Bryant again to end the inning, catching the runner on first trying to steal. 
• The Redbirds went down in order in the top of the 11^th, but the Bears ended the game in the bottom half of the inning.
• With two outs in the bottom of the 11^th, Missouri State had runners on second and third when the Bears hit a double to the gap in right center field to secure the walk-off win over the Redbirds. 
• Ross tied her single-game career high in strikeouts, tossing five in her 4.2 innings of relief. 

BIRD BITS (Game 2)

Offensive Highlights:

• Delainey Bryant: 2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI, BB
• Brandi LaFountaine: 1-for-2, R, BB, SO
• Jayden Standish: 1-for-2, BB

Pitching Breakdown:

• Amanda Fox: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 SO
• Hannah Ross: 0.0 IP, H

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Redbirds struck first in the top of the second as Brandi LaFountaine drew a leadoff walk and scored on Bryant's second double in as many innings. Bryant started the game with a double down the right field line followed by a single by Reili Gardner, but both were left stranded. 
• Illinois State had another chance in the third as Standish singled and Chloe Jefferson drew a walk to put two on with two outs, but the Redbirds came up empty. 
• Fox retired the first eight batters she saw, but Missouri State was able to collect a hit in the bottom of the third. The Bears registered another hit in the fifth as well as the sixth, but they were unable to capitalize. 
• It was a true defensive battle, both squads making great plays to back up their pitchers.
• Fox got the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Bears tied it up on a pair of singles, forcing Illinois State to make a change in the circle, bringing in Ross. Another hit by the first batter Ross faced secured the walk-off victory, routing the Redbirds 2-1 in the second game of the doubleheader and Missouri State took the series. 

ON DECK

Illinois State will travel to DeKalb, Ill. for a non-conference, midweek matchup with the Northern Illinois Huskies (8-10, 2-1 MAC) on Wednesday, March 23 at 3 p.m. CT. 

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