TEMPE, Ariz. – In the first game of the Littlewood Classic, Illinois State (1-4) dropped a close 1-0 game to Oregon State (3-3) despite senior pitcher Hannah Ross tossing a season-high six strikeouts over 6.1 innings pitched.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State and Oregon State were locked in a pitcher's duel Thursday afternoon as the Redbirds dropped a close 1-0 game to the Beavers who are currently receiving votes in the national Top 25 polls.
The bases were busy for the Redbirds in the top of the first as Emme Olson and Abby Knight picked up a pair of two-out singles, but Illinois State was unable to take an early lead.
The Beavers started off hot as well with a leadoff double in the bottom half of the first and drew a one-out walk, but Hannah Ross held them scoreless through the first inning. Oregon State threatened again in the bottom of the second, but Ross continued to keep her composure in the circle and got three swinging strikeouts to end the inning.
In a game that lacked offense, Illinois State picked up its third hit of the game in the top half of the third as Addison Masching led off the inning with a single to left field. The Redbirds were unable to plate a run and were only able to manage one more hit against the Beavers as Olson singled in the sixth.
Ross did not allow another hit until the bottom of the seventh with the game still scoreless. Oregon State began the final frame with a single to right field and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second. Another single gave the Beavers a runner on third before Hannah Meshnick entered the circle for the Redbirds. A wild pitch from Meshnick scored the runner on third, effectively ending the game in walk-off fashion in favor of Oregon State.
NOTES
- Hannah Ross tossed a season-high six strikeouts against Oregon State while only allowing one walk.
ON DECK
Illinois State (1-4) returns to action tomorrow, Feb. 17, for a pair of games against Weber State (1-4) at 2:30 p.m. CT and Grand Canyon (5-0) at 7:30 p.m. CT in Phoenix, Ariz. The games will be hosted by GCU and the Redbirds' night game against Grand Canyon will be streamed on ESPN+.
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