TEMPE, Ariz. – Despite scoring first in both contests, Illinois State (2-7) dropped its final two games of the Littlewood Classic as BYU (7-2) bested the Redbirds 2-1 in extra innings and No. 22/RV Arizona State (6-2) won 11-3 to close out the tournament for ISU.
Illinois State jumped out to early leads in both games as the Redbirds scored their lone run against BYU in the bottom of the first and put up three runs on the Sun Devils before they had the chance to respond. Illinois State also outhit the Cougars in the first game of the day, recording five hits to BYU's four.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. BYU)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Another pitcher's duel ensued between BYU and Illinois State on Saturday afternoon as there was a total of nine hits between the two programs, ISU with five hits and BYU with four.
Freshman Hannah Meshnick made her second career start in the circle for the Redbirds, but another no-hit bid did not occur as BYU got things going early in the first with a one-out single. Nothing came of it and the Cougars were held scoreless in the first.
Illinois State scored its lone run in the bottom half of the first as sophomore Abby Knight doubled to center to leadoff the game for the Redbirds. Senior Emme Olson collected her second double of the season and another RBI as Knight came around to score. The Redbirds took an early 1-0 lead.
It did not take long for BYU to respond as the Cougars led off the second inning with a solo home run. That was the first run given up by Meshnick this season.
Each team traded hits back and forth, but no one was able to push a run across and the game went into an eighth inning. A runner was placed on second to start the eighth per an extra inning rule in tournament play. BYU was able to score that runner and take the lead 2-1 heading into the bottom half of the inning.
The Redbirds had a chance with Olson on third and two outs, but were unable to bring her home and Illinois State dropped a heartbreaker 2-1 to BYU in the fourth game of the Littlewood Classic.
NOTES
- Meshnick made her second start of the season and her career against BYU. She went eight complete innings which is a career high in innings pitched and struck out four batters which is also a career high in the category.
- Olson collected her second three-hit game against BYU that included another double for the fifth-year senior. She is now at 42 doubles for her career and is tied for third in program history with Betsy Youngquist (1994-97) and Jordan de los Reyes (2014-17). Kara Nelson (2007-11) holds the all-time career doubles record at 49.
BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. No. 22/RV Arizona State)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross (L, 1-3): 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, SO
- Hannah Meshnick (1-1): 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER
- Amanda Fox (0-2): 0.1 IP, H, R, ER
HOW IT HAPPENED
This game had a familiar start to it as Knight drew a leadoff walk from the Sun Devils and Olson collected her first hit of the game, but no one came around to score for the Redbirds. Despite giving up a leadoff double, senior Hannah Ross was able to hold Arizona State scoreless as well through the first.
A pair of singles from senior Dayna Kennedy and senior Chloe Jefferson put two runners on for senior Brandi LaFountaine who singled up the middle, scoring Kennedy and moving Jefferson to third. Jefferson was then able to score on a groundout and the Redbirds were quickly up 2-0 over their ranked opponent.
A leadoff homer in the top of the third from sophomore Delainey Bryant extended the Redbirds' lead to 3-0 and forced a pitching change for Arizona State.
Trouble ensued in the bottom of the third for Ross as the Sun Devils took a 5-3 lead on four hits, including back-to-back home runs. The ASU offense did not let up as Meshnick, who pitched eight complete innings earlier in the day, entered the circle for Ross in the fourth and proceeded to give up an additional five runs. Senior Amanda Fox entered in relief of Meshnick after two-thirds of an inning and gave up one more run before getting the final out.
Heading into the top of the fifth, Arizona State led 11-3, only needing three outs to end the game. Knight drew her second walk of the game and Bryant and Olson followed with a pair of singles to load the bases for the 'Birds with one out. Illinois State was unable to plate a run and lost 11-3 to No. 22/RV Arizona State after five innings.
NOTES
- Olson extended her reached base safely streak as well as her hit streak against No. 22/RV Arizona State. Her reached base safely streak now stands at 11 games dating back to the final two games of the 2022 season. Her hit streak is now at seven games and this was her fourth multi-hit contest this season.
- Bryant's solo home run in the third inning was the eighth of her career and her first in 2023.
- Jefferson also extends a hit streak against the Sun Devils as she has recorded a hit in four consecutive contests.
ON DECK
Illinois State will take part in the Hilltopper Spring Fling in Bowling Green, Ky. on Feb. 24-26. Western Kentucky (4-4) will host the Redbirds along with Jacksonville State (5-2) and Central Michigan (2-1) for a four-team tournament.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
