MURRAY, Ky. – Illinois State picked up a pair of dominant wins over Youngstown State (7-11) and Murray State (13-8) that included a grand slam from senior Dayna Kennedy and only two hits allowed by the Redbirds' pitching staff on the opening day of the Racer Classic.
The Redbirds earned a six-inning, 9-0 victory over the Penguins in their first game of the day. Starting pitcher senior Amanda Fox held Youngstown State to just one hit in her 5.0 innings pitched while freshman Hannah Meshnick entered in relief in the sixth and went three up, three down to close out the game.
In the second game of the day, senior Hannah Ross started in the circle and only allowed one run on one hit from the Murray State Racers. She picked up the win in a 7-1, complete game effort that included Kennedy's grand slam and a two-run home run from senior Chloe Jefferson.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Youngstown State)
Offensive Highlights:
- Addison Masching: 2-for-3, BB, 3 R
- Kaili Chval: 1-for-3, 2 BB, 3 RBI
- Emme Olson: 1-for-4, BB, 2 RBI, R
- Jayden Standish: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Delainey Bryant: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, R, HBP
Pitching Breakdown:
- Amanda Fox (W, 1-2): 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, BB, 3 K
- Hannah Meshnick: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State took an early lead in the top of the first over Youngstown State. After the Penguins got the first two outs of the game, an error allowed fifth-year senior Emme Olson to reach safely and extend the inning. A single from sophomore Abby Knight put runners on first and second for junior Jayden Standish who smacked a two-RBI double to left field. The Redbirds were up 2-0 at the end of the first.
Youngstown State's lone hit of the game was a double in the bottom of the first, but the Penguins were unable to capitalize.
Sophomore Addison Masching led off the top of the second with a single to left field and senior Brandi LaFountaine was granted first base on a catcher's inference call. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore Bella Wilkerson put runners at second and third. Senior Kaili Chval stepped in for her second at-bat of the day and singled to center field, scoring Masching and LaFountaine and giving the 'Birds a 4-0 lead.
The Redbirds added a few insurance runs in the top of the fifth as Masching led off the inning with an infield single and LaFountaine followed with another infield hit. A single by sophomore Delainey Bryant allowed Masching to score and moved LaFountaine over to second. A walk to Chval loaded the bases for the Redbirds. Olson then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Bryant and LaFountaine to give Illinois State a 7-0 advantage over the Penguins.
The Redbirds entered run-rule territory in the top of the sixth as Masching, LaFountaine and Wilkerson drew three consecutive walks to load the bases with one out in the inning. Bryant got hit by a pitch which scored Masching and kept the bases juiced. A fourth walk in the inning to Chval drove in the Redbirds' ninth run of the game.
Freshman Hannah Meshnick entered in the bottom of the sixth to close out the victory and she went three up, three down with a strikeout looking for the final out.
NOTES
- Masching's three runs scored against Youngstown State is a career high in runs scored in a single game for the sophomore. Previously, she had scored two runs in a single game on two occasions.
- Chval's three RBI tie a career high for the senior in a single game. She has recorded three RBI on two occasions previously.
- Fox picked up the win in the circle against Youngstown which is the first of the season for her in her second start of 2023.
BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Murray State)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior pitcher Hannah Ross tossed a complete game, one-hitter to Missouri Valley Conference foe Murray State in the Redbirds' second game of the Racer Classic. The Racers lone hit of the game happened in the bottom of the first, but nothing came of it.
Illinois State struck first in the top of the second as Knight led off the inning with a single to right field. After collecting an out, Masching reached on a fielder's choice and Knight was safe at second. Senior Chloe Jefferson wore a pitch in her first at-bat of the day to load the bases for the Redbirds. LaFountaine drew a walk from the Racers' pitcher to collect an RBI and put Illinois State up 1-0. Senior Dayna Kennedy then stepped in for her first at-bat of the day and launched her second home run of the season, this one a grand slam over the wall in left field. Illinois State took a 5-0 lead after two complete innings.
The Racers scored their only run of the game in the bottom half of the second on a throwing miscue by the Redbirds.
Illinois State added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth as Jefferson blasted her fourth home run of the season, this one a two-run home run that scored Standish who had led off the inning with a single to left field.
In the final frame, Ross allowed a walk, but the Illinois State defense turned a double play and registered a groundout to beat the Racers 7-1.
NOTES
- Jefferson, who had never hit a home run before 2023, now has four home runs through the first five weeks of the season.
- Kennedy's grand slam was the first of her career and she collected a season-high four RBI. Her career high is five RBI at Indiana State during the 2021 season (3/20/21).
ON DECK
Illinois State will finish the Racer Classic with two games on Saturday, Mar. 11. The Redbirds are scheduled to face Youngstown State at 10 a.m. CT and Murray State at 3 p.m. CT. Live stats will be available for both contests and the afternoon contest against Murray State will be available on ESPN3.
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