NORMAL, Ill. – After dropping the first game of the doubleheader 5-4 to the Sycamores, Illinois State (12-16, 3-3 MVC) bounced back, hitting a trio of home runs, to win the rubber match 5-3 over Indiana State (17-14, 5-4 MVC).
BIRD BITS (Game 1)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, ER, 4 BB, 2 SO
- Allison Tillema: 3.0 IP, H, R, ER, 5 BB, 2 SO, WP
- Amanda Fox: 1.0 IP, 1 SO
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Illinois State was out in front early as the Redbirds plated the first run of the game in the bottom half of the first. Jayden Standish singled to right center field, driving in Reili Gardner after she had chopped an infield single and advanced to third on a fielder's choice two batters later.
- The Sycamores answered in the top of the third on a sac fly to left field, but did not stop there. With the score even at 1-1, Indiana State hit a three-run home run to go up 4-1 over Illinois State.
- In the top of the fourth, starter Hannah Ross was replaced by sophomore Allison Tillema in the circle. Ross exited with two strikeouts, allowing four runs, only one earned, on two hits. The Sycamores added to their lead in the fourth as they drew a bases loaded walk, now up 5-1 over the 'Birds.
- The Redbirds rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Standish started the inning with a single through the left side. Kaili Chval drew a walk to put two on, no outs. Addison Masching hit a ground ball to the second baseman who tried to throw Chval out at second, but overthrew the bag, allowing Standish to score and everyone else to be safe. Still with no outs, Bella Wilkerson dropped a single into right field, scoring Chval. Illinois State scored one more run before the inning was over as a fielder's choice moved Masching to third and another fielder's choice allowed her to score. Heading into the fifth, Indiana State led 5-4, the Redbirds only trailing by one.
- Illinois State had runners on in the fifth and sixth innings, but could not capitalize. The Sycamores took the second game of the series 5-4.
BIRD BITS (Game 2)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Amanda Fox: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 11 SO, WP
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Illinois State favored the long ball in game two of the doubleheader as all the Redbirds' runs came from home runs.
- Chval collected her second home run in as many days as she hit a missile over the center field wall. Standish scored on the home run as she had previously drawn a walk, putting the 'Birds up 2-0 early.
- The next inning, Delainey Bryant smashed a solo shot over the wall in left center to extend the Redbirds' lead to 3-0.
- The Sycamores responded in the top of the fourth, hitting back-to-back home runs and cutting the Illinois State lead to 3-2.
- In the bottom half of the fourth, Dayna Kennedy rocketed a single into left field as the top of the order came around. With two outs in the inning, Bryant went deep again, this time a towering shot over the left field wall for her second home run of the day.
- Indiana State scored one more in the top of the seventh and was threatening, but an infield fly and a groundout to the pitcher sealed the deal for the Redbirds as they took the final game of the series, 5-3.
NOTES
- Pitcher Amanda Fox had a career day in the circle. Her 11 strikeouts as well as 7.0 innings pitched are both career highs for the junior hurler. Her previous career high in strikeouts came in her five innings pitched in the first game of the series against Indiana State (9). 6.2 innings was her previous career high in innings pitched.
- Olson continued her reached base safely streak which is now at 20 consecutive games. She has also reached base safely in 26 of 28 games this season, the only two contests she did not reach safely were against USF and Arizona State.
- Chval hit her first home run in the first game of the series to walk off Indiana State while also playing amazing defense in left field as she made two diving catches. She smashed her second home run of the weekend, and of her career, over the wall in center field to give the 'Birds an early lead in the rubber match against the Sycamores.
- Bryant's performance over the weekend against Indiana State has her tied for second in batting average on the team (.333) and tied for first in RBI (16) with Abby Knight.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will be back in action on Tuesday, April 5 at Marian Kneer Stadium for a doubleheader against the Drake Bulldogs (8-18, 2-4 MVC) starting at noon. The series with Drake was originally schedule for Mar. 26-27, but was postponed due to weather.
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