CARBONDALE, Ill. – Illinois State (22-27, 12-13 MVC) dropped both games of the season finale doubleheader to Southern Illinois (27-18-1, 16-10). The Redbirds lost the first contest 13-3 in five innings to the Salukis, and despite blasting a pair of home runs in the second game, they still came up short, losing 8-3.
BIRD BITS (game 1)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross: 1.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, SO, WP
- Annie Volkers: 0.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 WP, HBP
- Allison Tillema: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 WP, 2 HBP
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Salukis took an early lead in the first inning. A pair of singles to start the inning led to a three-run home run from Ashley Wood. Southern Illinois tacked on another run as the Salukis loaded the bases following the home run, and Aubree DePron singled in a run.
- SIU added a few insurance runs the next time up to bat in the bottom of the second. After a single started the inning, Annie Volkers entered in relief of starter Hannah Ross for the Redbirds. A hit-by-pitch led to another three-run home run from the Salukis to put them up 7-0. Two walks forced Illinois State to make another change in the circle, and sophomore Allison Tillema entered, still with no outs in the inning. When the inning ended, the Salukis were up 12-0.
- Illinois State collected its second hit of the game in the top of the third as Rebecca Moffett led the inning off with a triple, her first of the season and of her career. Michele Calabrese then hit a sac fly to center field, and Moffett scored to put the Redbirds on the board.
- Another run came around for the Redbirds in the top of the fourth as Delainey Bryant hit a leadoff single followed by a walk to Jayden Standish. Freshman Abby Knight then singled to left field and the speedy Bryant scored from second, making it 12-2, advantage SIU.
- The Salukis tacked on another run as a leadoff walk came around to score on a single by Jenny Jansen in the fourth.
- In the top of the fifth, Illinois State added one final run in a final attempt at a comeback. Bryant doubled to center field and Kaili Chval scored, who had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.
- One final run in the fifth was not enough for the Redbirds, and Illinois State fell 13-3 in five innings to the Salukis.
BIRD BITS (game 2)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Bryant, the reigning newcomer of the week in the MVC, continued to stay hot at the plate as she registered the Redbirds' first hit in the top of the first, a single to center field. A groundout ended the inning, stranding Bryant on first.
- It was another productive first inning for Southern Illinois as two two-run home runs gave the Salukis an early 4-0 lead.
- In the top of the second, Calabrese cut that lead in half as she smashed her second home run of the season, and her career, and Moffett scored, who had a bunt single and a stolen base earlier in the inning.
- Amanda Fox was able to retire six straight Salukis in the bottom of the second and third to keep the score at 4-2 through three complete innings.
- Dayna Kennedy brought the Redbirds within one run in the top of the fourth as she crushed her tenth home run of the season, this one a solo shot and a no-doubter to center field.
- It remained a one-run game until the bottom of the fifth when SIU tacked on four runs. A one-out single gave the Salukis a baserunner and a two-run home run followed. A walk was drawn next, and another ball was hit over the wall in left field to bring the score to 8-3 in favor of SIU. Ross entered in relief of Fox, and got the final two outs of the inning.
- Illinois State threatened in the top of the seventh as Kennedy started the inning with a single to right field. With the Redbirds down to their final out, Brandi LaFountaine made a pinch hit appearance and got an infield single to put two runners on. The Salukis were able to get the final out before any runners could cross the plate, and the Redbirds dropped the second game of the doubleheader 8-3 to Southern Illinois.
ON DECK
Illinois State will travel to Springfield, Mo. for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, hosted by the Missouri State Lady Bears, on May 11-14. The Redbirds, the sixth seed in the tournament, will play on Thursday, May 12 at 1:30 p.m and will face off against the winner of Valparaiso and Indiana State, who meet on Wednesday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. CT.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
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