SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A pair of home runs from Dayna Kennedy and just four hits scattered by the Illinois State pitching staff, secured Illinois State's 8-7 victory over No. 3 Southern Illinois, and the Redbirds (24-27, 12-13 MVC) will advance to Friday's semifinal game against No. 2 Missouri State.
Illinois State knocked a total of 13 hits while scoring eight runs off three home runs, two by Kennedy and one by Abby Knight. Pitcher Amanda Fox started the game against the Salukis after a complete game victory earlier in the day against Indiana State. She tossed a total of 11.2 innings on the day, giving up just one hit in the contest against Southern Illinois.
BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Amanda Fox: 4.2 IP, H, 4 R, 3 ER, 11 BB, HBP
- Hannah Ross: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Emme Olson led off the game with a single to center field and was able to advance to second on a wild pitch, but was left stranded in the top of the first.
- The Salukis loaded the bases in the bottom half of the first, but Amanda Fox left them full as she got a pop up to end the inning.
- The Redbirds broke the scoreless tie in the top of the second as Michele Calabrese smacked a single to left field to score Rebecca Moffett from second.
- The following inning, Illinois State added to its lead. With two runners on and one out, Knight reached on a fielder's choice, and Kaili Chval scored from second on an error by the Salukis, allowing everyone to be safe. This gave Kennedy an opportunity to bat with two outs in the inning, and she did not disappoint. Kennedy launched a three-run home run to left field, putting Illinois State up 5-0.
- Southern Illinois got one run back in the bottom of the third as a Saluki scored on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the fourth, a pair of walks drawn by the Salukis forced an Illinois State change in the circle, and Hannah Ross entered in relief of Fox. Ross allowed the first two hits of the game for Southern Illinois and SIU scored three runs in the inning to cut the Redbirds' lead to 5-4.
- The Redbirds tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fifth as Brandi LaFountaine entered to pinch hit and drew a bases loaded walk.
- For the first time in this game, it was a one-two-three inning for the Salukis has Ross sat them down in order, all via the strikeout.
- Southern Illinois then tied it up in the sixth, drawing a bases loaded walk before Fox reentered to pitch for the Redbirds. She gave up a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6, but got out of the inning without any further damage.
- Time for the offense to work in the top of the seventh, and it sure did. Knight led off the inning, hitting a line drive over the wall in right center field, breaking the tie. Kennedy stepped in to bat following Knight, and hammered her second home run of the game to left field. This was the first time this season that Illinois State has hit back-to-back home runs, and it could not have come at a more perfect time. The Redbirds led 8-6 heading into the final frame of the game.
- The Salukis hit a leadoff home run to make it 8-7, and then proceeded to draw a pair of walks. A sacrifice bunt gave Illinois State its first out with Salukis on second and third. Two pop ups to Olson at second base ended the game, and the Redbirds secured the 8-7 victory.
ON DECK
Illinois State will take on No. 2 Missouri State, and host of the tournament, in the semifinal game on Friday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. CT in Springfield, Mo. at Killian Stadium.
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