Meeks Throws One-Hitter; Redbirds Split Saturday Games

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – True freshman Hannah Meeks made her second career start in the circle against Jacksonville State (9-4) and tossed a one-hit, complete game shutout to put Illinois State (3-10) back in the win column, but the Redbirds fell to Central Michigan (3-5) 5-4 in their second game on Saturday.

BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Jacksonville State)

Offensive Highlights: 

• Emme Olson: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI
• Dayna Kennedy: 1-for-1, HR, R, 2 RBI
• Delainey Bryant: 2-for-3, 2B, 3 R, BB
• Abby Knight: 2-for-2, R, BB
• Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-2, RBI
• Addison Masching: 1-for-3, RBI, SO

Pitching Breakdown:

• Hannah Meeks (W, 1-1): 5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K

HOW IT HAPPENED

Illinois State was able to snag an early 2-0 lead courtesy of a leadoff double by sophomore Delainey Bryant followed by a two-run home run by fifth-year senior Emme Olson. 

True freshman Hannah Meeks entered the circle in the bottom of the first to make her second career start and see her first action since Feb. 11 versus No. 4/5 Florida. Meeks made quick work of Jacksonville State as she was six up, six down through her first two innings of work. 

The Redbirds were able to put up a crooked number in the top of the third as they scored four runs on three hits while the Gamecocks made two errors defensively. JSU made a pitching change to start the third inning, but Bryant wasted no time as she collected her second hit of the game to lead things off. Bryant singled but ended up on second due to an error while another error allowed Olson to reach safely and Bryant to advance to third. Sophomore Abby Knight drew a walk to load the bases for sophomore Bella Wilkerson. Wilkerson then singled up the middle to score Bryant and Olson came around to score as she tagged up on a foul out by senior Chloe Jefferson. Another walk to junior Jayden Standish loaded the bases for the third time this inning, and Knight scored on a fielder's choice courtesy of senior Kaili Chval. An RBI-single by sophomore Addison Masching forced another pitching change for the Gamecocks, but they were finally able to get the last out of the inning and held the game at 6-0 in favor of the Redbirds. 

Another quick one-two-three inning for Meeks brought the top of the order back around for Illinois State in the top of the fourth. Bryant drew a leadoff walk to start. Olson went deep again, blasting another two-run home run over the wall in center to bring the Redbirds lead to 8-0. 

Meeks allowed her first baserunners of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. She issued two walks to the Gamecocks, but she got out of the jam unscathed and still had not allowed a hit through four complete innings.

Already in run-rule territory, Illinois State added another two runs in the top of the fifth as senior Dayna Kennedy entered to pinch hit for senior Brandi LaFountaine. Chval had drawn a walk to begin the fifth and Kennedy blasted the Redbirds' third two-run home run of the game to give Illinois State a season-high 10 runs scored. 

Ready to close the door on Jacksonville State and potentially throw Illinois State's second no-hitter of the season, Meeks gave up a hit with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but the next batter fouled out to right field to end the game and give the Redbirds a 10-0 victory.

NOTES

• Olson reached a number of milestones in the first game of the day for Illinois State. She recorded her 100^th and 101^st career RBI in her first home run of the day, and her total is now 103 career RBI. Her second home run of the day was the 20^th of her career. It is also only the second time in her career that she has hit two home runs in a single game (last 2/16/19 vs. Utah St.). She also extended her hit streak to 10 games and her reached base safely streak is at 12 games this season. Going back to the final two games of the 2022 season, her reached base safely streak stands at 14 games. 
• Meeks picked up her first career win in the circle for the Redbirds. She threw a one-hit, complete game shutout against Jacksonville State in her second career start. She also collected a pair of strikeouts in the game which are the first of her career. 
• As a team, Illinois State scored a team season-high 10 runs against Jacksonville State to earn the Redbirds' third victory of the season. 

BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Central Michigan)

Offensive Highlights: 

• Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3, 2B, R, BB
• Abby Knight: 1-for-4, RBI
• Jayden Standish: 1-for-2, HR, RBI, R, BB
• Chloe Jefferson: 1-for-1, HR, RBI, R

Pitching Breakdown:

• Hannah Ross (1-4): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
• Hannah Meshnick (L, 1-3): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K, WP

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was another early start for the Redbirds as Bryant led off the bottom of the first with a double and moved to third on a popup by Olson. Knight then drove Bryant in on a single down the left field line, and Illinois State took an early 1-0 lead. 

Central Michigan was able to tie the game on an RBI single in the top of the second. 

The game was tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the fourth when Standish hit her second home run of the season, this one a solo shot that put the scoreboard back in favor of the 'Birds. 

The lead did not last long as Central Michigan took advantage of a pair of walks to start the fifth inning that forced a pitching change for the Redbirds. Freshman Hannah Meshnick entered, but the Chippewas were able to plate a pair in the top half of the inning to make it 3-2. 

In the bottom of the sixth, the Redbirds were able to bring it back to even as Olson led off the inning with a single up the middle and freshman Abby Horton entered to pinch run. Wilkerson reached on a miscue from the Chippewa defense and Standish drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Chval drew another walk from the CMU pitcher to collect an RBI and tie the game at 3-3. 

A two-out, two-run home run regained the lead for Central Michigan in the top of the seventh inning. Illinois State came back within one run as Jefferson knocked a pinch-hit solo home run, but the Chippewas were able to win the game 5-4. 

NOTES

• Once again, Olson was able to continue both her hit streak and reached base safely streak. She has currently recorded a hit in 11 straight games as well as reached base safely in every game this season (13). She also reached base safely in the final two games of 2022 to have her streak stand at 15 consecutive games. 
• Horton entered to pinch run for the Redbirds in the sixth inning. She was credited with her first career stolen base and she scored her first career run for Illinois State. 
• Meshnick tied her career high in strikeouts with four in her 3.0 innings of work against the Chippewas. 

ON DECK

The Redbirds will look to end the Hilltopper Spring Fling on a high note against Western Kentucky (8-6) on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on the Hilltopper Sport Properties' Facebook page and live stats will also be available.

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).

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