Redbirds Split on Day 1 of FAU Tournament

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Illinois State's offensive outburst against the Delaware Blue Hens (9-6) led the Redbirds (4-11) to an 8-5 win in game one, but the bats were quiet in game two as the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars (4-8) topped the Redbirds 4-2.

GAME ONE (Delaware)

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Delainey Bryant: 4-for-5, 3 RBI, R, SO
• Abby Knight: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
• Dayna Kennedy: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

Pitching Breakdown:

• Amanda Fox: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 BB, 2 SO, HBP
• Hannah Ross: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 4 SO

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Redbirds started on a leadoff walk from Addison Masching, followed by a single from Reili Gardner and a walk drawn by Emme Olson to load the bases. After Abby Knight reached on a fielder's choice with Masching out at home, Delainey Bryant singled up the middle driving in Olson and Gardner, giving the 'Birds an early 2-0 lead. 
• When the top of the order came back around in the second, Masching singled and Gardner walked, both reaching base safely for the second time in as many at-bats. A deep fly ball to center field from Olson, moved the runners to second and third with Knight on-deck. Knight slashed her third double of the season to left center field, tacking on two more runs for Illinois State.
• The second inning did not end there as the Blue Hens were forced to make a pitching change in the circle. Bryant reached safely on an infield single, moving Knight to third, and Dayna Kennedy registered her first hit of the game, an RBI single through the left side to score Knight. By the end of two innings, the Redbirds were up 5-0 on the Blue Hens. 
• Knight was able to score a sixth run for the 'Birds in the top of the fourth as she singled up the middle and Bryant followed with her third hit of the game, another infield single. Kennedy then singled down the left field line, driving in Knight before the inning ended. After four innings, Illinois State led 6-0.
• The fourth and fifth innings were productive for the Blue Hens as they were able to put up three runs between the two innings. In the fourth, they drew a few walks and hit a single to drive in the first run. In the fifth, Delaware scored an unearned run on a fielder's choice after the runner had reached on an error. Then a pinch-hit appearance produced an RBI single to cut the Redbirds lead to 6-3.
• Knight and Bryant started another rally for the Redbirds in the top of the sixth inning. Knight ended up on second after a single and an error, and Bryant picked up her fourth hit of the day, driving in Knight on a single to center field. Bryant got to second on a wild pitch and Brandi LaFountaine pushed her across the plate on a pinch-hit RBI-single to right field, extending the 'Birds lead to 8-3.
• Delaware pushed back as the Blue Hens scored two more runs, one in the bottom of six and one in the bottom of seven, before Hannah Ross was able to shut them down and end the game. The Redbirds ended up on top, winning their fourth game of the season 8-5. 

NOTES:

• The Redbirds had a total of 16 hits in the contest. Seven Redbirds recorded a hit and six of those players had at least two. Bryant led the way with four hits while Knight was close behind with three. 
• Eight runs in the most Illinois State has scored in a game this season. Four different players had at least one RBI. Bryant drove in three runs while Knight and Kennedy had two apiece. LaFountaine also recorded an RBI. 
• Bryant's four hits are the most by a Redbird in a single game this season. Her three RBI tie Knight for most in a single game as well. Knight had three RBI in the contest against Portland State.
• Ross tied her single-game career high in strikeouts by collecting four against Delaware. 

GAME TWO (SIUE)

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Reili Gardner: 3-for-3, BB, SB
• Delainey Bryant: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, SB, SO
• Kaili Chval: 1-for-3, RBI

Pitching Breakdown:

• Allison Tillema: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 2 WP
• Amanda Fox: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, SO

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars struck first as they were able to score two runs in the top of the first inning. They tacked on another in the top of the third on a couple of singles, forcing the Redbirds to make a pitching change as Amanda Fox entered the game for Allison Tillema.
• Illinois State recorded its first hit in the bottom of the third inning on a Reili Gardner single to left field, but no runs were scored.
• SIUE was able to scratch another across in the top of the fourth on a single to right center field, taking a 4-0 lead.
• The Redbirds answered in the bottom of the fourth after Bryant reach on an error and Kaili Chval singled through the left side, scoring Bryant. 
• 'Birds were able to get one more run as Bryant hit an inside the park home run to right field, flying around the bases to score. 
• Illinois State loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but nothing came to fruition, and the Cougars beat the Redbirds 4-2.
• Tillema made her first career start for the Redbirds and had a single-game career high of three strikeouts.

ON DECK

The Redbirds will play Purdue tomorrow (Mar. 5) at 1 p.m. CT and will follow with a contest against Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m. CT. 

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