NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball (20-25, 10-11 MVC) opened the three-game series against Valparaiso (12-29, 3-19 MVC) with a 6-2 victory, powered by another Dayna Kennedy home run and seven strikeouts from pitcher Hannah Ross.
The second game of the doubleheader was postponed due to weather, so the Redbirds and Beacons will play a doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday, May 1, beginning at 12 p.m. CT.
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
- Dayna Kennedy: 2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R, SO
- Abby Knight: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, SO
- Delainey Bryant: 1-for-1, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Illinois State struck first as Dayna Kennedy blasted her eighth home run of the season to left center field in the bottom of the second inning. Kennedy has now doubled her home run total from a season ago (4).
- The Beacons took the lead in the top of the third inning, playing some small ball. A pair of infield singles and a sac bunt gave Valparaiso runners on second and third, one out. Another infield single loaded the bases. Two wild pitches scored two Beacons, and Valpo led 2-1 through two and a half innings.
- Valparaiso threatened again in the top of the fourth, but Hannah Ross picked up a timely strikeout to leave runners stranded on second and third, the score remained 2-1.
- The Redbirds regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Delainey Bryant drew her second walk of the day to lead off the inning. Abby Knight followed with an infield single to give the Redbirds second and third, one out. Kennedy then collected her second hit of the day, a double down the left field line, and Bryant scored, tying the game 2-2. Knight scored on a wild pitch to take the lead, and the Redbirds were up 3-2 after four complete innings.
- Illinois State tacked on three more runs its next time up to bat in the bottom of the fifth. Reili Gardner registered her first hit of the day, a single through the left side to give the Redbirds a runner. Kaili Chval reached on an error by the Beacons' shortstop, and Bryant continued the inning with a single to center field, Gardner scoring from second.
- As the Redbirds led 4-2, Valpo made a change in the circle, Caitlin Kowalski entered in relief of starting pitcher Cheyenne Nietz. Jayden Standish, the first batter Kowalski faced, drew a walk to load the bases for Illinois State. Knight followed with a single up the middle and advanced to second on the throw home as Chval and Bryant crossed the plate to give the Redbirds a 6-2 lead.
- Both teams had scoreless sixth and seventh innings, as Ross picked up three strikeouts in the final two innings, bringing her total to seven on the day, and the Redbirds secured the victory over the Beacons.
ON DECK
The Redbirds are back at Marian Kneer Stadium for a doubleheader with the Beacons, tomorrow, Sunday, May 1, beginning at 12 p.m. CT. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN3. Sunday, May 1, is also senior day and there will be a postgame ceremony celebrating the Redbird softball seniors.
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