Olson Extends On-Base Streak in Loss to Illinois

NORMAL, Ill. – Senior second baseman Emme Olson extended her reached base safely streak to 23 consecutive games as Illinois State (13-18, 4-4 MVC) dropped the midweek matchup to Illinois (19-13, 3-2 Big Ten), the Illini winning 11-3 in six innings.

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Reili Gardner: 2-for-2, R
• Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3, 2B, R
• Emme Olson: 1-for-2, SF, RBI

Pitching Breakdown:

• Amanda Fox: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, BB, 2 SO, HBP
• Emma Hicks: 0.2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, SO
• Annie Volkers: 0.1 IP, H, 2 BB, SO

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In her first at bat of the day, Olson reached base safely on an infield single to second base. This extended her reached base safely streak to 23 consecutive games and she has also reached base safely in 29 of 31 games this season. 
• Starting pitcher Amanda Fox shutdown the Illini offense her first time through the batting order. Fox retired seven batters in a row, only relinquishing a single in the top of the third, before getting the final two outs of the inning to retire nine of ten batters. 
• In the bottom of the third, Reili Gardner singled to left field to put a runner on with one out. Delainey Bryant reached base on an error by the Illinois defense, and Kaili Chval moved the runners to second and third on a fielder's choice. The Redbirds threatened, but came up empty, leaving the game scoreless through three innings. 
• The Illini offense seemed to figure it out the second time through the batting order as Illinois put up six runs in the top of the fourth on six hits. 
• Illinois State answered in the bottom of the fourth as Jayden Standish led the inning off with a single through the right side. Chloe Jefferson reached first and advanced to second on an error, giving the Redbirds runners on second and third. Brandi LaFountaine then collected an RBI on a groundout, making it 6-1 heading to the fifth. 
• Fox recorded two strikeouts to end the fifth inning and leave two runners stranded for Illinois. Fox is closing in one her 100^thcareer strikeout as she is currently at 92.
• The Redbirds put up a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Illini lead in half, 6-3. Gardner collected her second hit of the game on an infield single to the shortstop. Bryant then smashed a double to left center, putting two runners in scoring position and forcing a change in the circle for Illinois. Chval got credited with an RBI on a ground out that scored Gardner who was on third. Bryant came around to score on a sac fly by Olson. 
• In the top of the sixth, Illinois tacked on five mores runs to make it 11-3. Freshman Emma Hicks entered the circle for the Redbirds recording two outs before freshman Annie Volkers entered to pitch for Illinois State. Volkers got the third and final out for the Redbirds on a strikeout, her first strikeout out of her collegiate career. 
• Illinois State could not answer in the bottom of the sixth, and the game ended 11-3 after six innings of play.

ON DECK

The Redbirds are back in action Apr. 9-10 for a three-game series against the Evansville Purple Aces (20-12, 5-4 MVC) at Marian Kneer Stadium. Saturday, Apr. 9 will feature a doubleheader beginning at noon CT while Sunday, Apr. 10 will be a single game against the Aces with first pitch at noon CT. 

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