BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Illinois State (2-9) battled on the first day of the Hilltopper Spring Fling, but ultimately fell short to Jacksonville State (8-3) in a 6-3 decision and to Western Kentucky (7-5) in a 6-0 decision.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Jacksonville State)
Offensive Highlights:Â
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross (L, 1-4): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO
- Amanda Fox (0-2): 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 SO, HBP
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a slow start offensively for both Illinois State and Jacksonville State in the Redbirds' first game of the Hilltopper Spring Fling.Â
Senior Emme Olson collected Illinois State's first hit of the game with two outs in the first, but nothing came of it.Â
The first runs of the game were scored by JSU as the Gamecocks plated a pair in the top of the third with two outs to take an early 2-0 lead.Â
In the top of the fourth, a single and a pair of walks issued by senior starter Hannah Ross forced a pitching change for Illinois State. Senior Amanda Fox entered with one out and bases loaded in the inning. JSU proceeded to plate four more runs to take a 6-0 lead over the Redbirds.Â
Junior Jayden Standish started to chip away at the Gamecocks' lead as she blasted her first home run of the season. Her two-run bomb cut the lead to 6-2 after four complete innings.Â
The Redbirds were able to score one more run on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Abby Knight to make it just a three-run deficit, but were unable to capitalize on opportunities in the final innings. Jacksonville State won 6-3 in the Redbirds' first game of the day.Â
NOTES
- Standish's home run in the bottom of the fourth was her first of the season and the 10th of her career.Â
- Olson's single in the first inning extended her hit streak to eight games while her reached base safely streak was at 10 for the season, but 12 games counting the final two contests of 2022.Â
- Bryant's two-hit effort ties her for first on the team in multi-hit games this season at four along with Olson.Â
BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Western Kentucky)
Offensive Highlights:Â
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State's second game of the day lacked some offense as the Redbirds were only able to snag three hits against Western Kentucky on the Hilltoppers' home field.Â
Despite the low number of hits, the Redbirds were able to put runners in scoring position in three innings, even loading the bases in the top of the fourth. It seemed to be one of those days where the hard-hit balls always found a WKU glove.Â
Meanwhile, freshman Hannah Meshnick kept the Hilltoppers under control until the third inning when WKU was able to plate a pair on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly. Meshnick did not allow another run until the sixth when the Hilltoppers' offense exploded and scored three additional runs to make it 5-0. Sophomore Annie Volkers entered in relief of Meshnick and only gave up one more run before the inning was over.Â
Western Kentucky was able to use home field advantage to best the Redbirds 6-0 in both team's second game of the day.  Â
NOTES
- Once again, Olson extended her hit streak to nine games and her reached base safely to 11 for the season. Including the final two games of 2022, her reached base safely streak stands at 13 games.Â
- Volkers' strikeout was the first she's issued this season in her 2.1 innings of work overall.
ON DECK
Illinois State (2-9) takes on Jacksonville State (8-3) again tomorrow Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. before facing Central Michigan (2-4) at 5:30 p.m. for the second day of the Hilltopper Spring Fling in Bowling Green, Ky. Live stats will be available for both games and links can be found on the Redbirds' schedule page or social media platforms.Â
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.
