NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds' home opener was worth the wait as Illinois State (11-15, 2-2 MVC) defeated Indiana State (16-13, 4-3 MVC) in walk off fashion on a three-run home run by Kaili Chval, the first home run of her career.
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross: 2.0 IP, 6 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
- Amanda Fox: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 9 SO
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a quiet first inning, the Redbirds struck first in the bottom of the second. Jayden Standish led the inning off with a single to center field as Kaili Chval followed with a single up the middle and a stolen base. Now with two runners in scoring position, Addison Masching singled up the middle, scoring Standish and Chval. Illinois State went up 2-0 early on Indiana State.
- A pair of back-to-back doubles in the top of the third put the Sycamores on the board, cutting the Redbirds' lead to 2-1. After that run scored, Amanda Fox replaced starting pitcher Hannah Ross in the circle. Ross exited with three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work.
- Another run did not cross the plate until the top of the fifth inning as Indiana State grabbed the lead on a two out, two-run home run to go up 3-2 on Illinois State.
- The Redbirds loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but came up empty. Illinois State left another runner stranded in the bottom of the sixth as Rebecca Moffett was able to reach safely on a hit by pitch.
- It all came down to the last frame for the Redbirds. One out in the bottom of the seventh and Abby Knight smacked a single through the right side, her first hit of the day. Standish followed Knight with a single through the left side to collect her third hit. Two runners on, one out and Chval stepped in to hit. On a 1-1 count, Chval lifted the ball over the left field wall, smashing her first career home run to give the Redbirds a walk off victory.
- Illinois State also had an impressive defensive effort tonight as Chval made two diving grabs in left field and Fox ended the night with nine strikeouts, a single game career high for the junior hurler.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will play a doubleheader against the Sycamores tomorrow (Apr. 3) at Marian Kneer Stadium starting at 12 p.m. and the games will be broadcast on ESPN3.
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