MURRAY, Ky. – Illinois State softball (9-14) completed a Saturday sweep of Youngstown State (7-13) and Murray State (14-9) on the final day of the Racer Classic to go undefeated in the Redbirds' last preseason tournament prior to the start of the conference season.
In the first game of the day, the Redbirds beat the Penguins 5-2 with freshman Hannah Meshnick starting in the circle. Meshnick and senior Amanda Fox, who entered in relief, held Youngstown State to three hits over 7.0 innings while sophomore Abby Knight led the Redbirds' offense going 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored.
Illinois State's second game of the day was another victory for the Redbirds over fellow Missouri Valley Conference member Murray State. The Redbirds beat the Racers 6-1 in their final game of the tournament. Freshman Hannah Meeks got the start in the circle and the win in a complete game effort as she only allowed one run on four hits.
Illinois State outscored its opponents 27-4 over its four games played this weekend and will enter MVC play on a four-game win streak.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Youngstown State)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meshnick (W, 2-5): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, K
- Amanda Fox (1-2): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over Youngstown State in the third game of the Racer Classic. Sophomore Delainey Bryant doubled down the left field line to start things off and a sacrifice bunt from senior Kaili Chval moved Bryant over to third. Fifth-year senior Emme Olson grounded out to second base, but collected an RBI as Bryant was able to score.
The Penguins responded in the top of the second as a hit-by-pitch and passed ball put a runner at second for YSU. The next batter singled to the pitched and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for the Penguins. A sacrifice fly scored the runner on third and the score evened at 1-1. An error allowed one more run to score and for the Penguins to take a 2-1 lead.
The Redbirds were able to tie it up in the bottom half of the second as sophomore Addison Masching singled to left field to begin the inning. Another sacrifice bunt by senior Chloe Jefferson moved Masching to second and a groundout from senior Brandi LaFountaine moved her over to third. Senior Dayna Kennedy then smashed a two-out double to center field to score Masching and tie the game at 2-2.
Illinois State then regained the lead in the bottom of the third as sophomore Abby Knight knocked a two-out double down the left field line and sophomore Jayden Standish drove in Knight with a double of her own to the gap in left center. The Redbirds held a 3-2 advantage after three complete innings.
Illinois State tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth as Chval drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. A single from Olson scored Chval and Olson ended up on second on the throw. Knight then collected her third hit of the game, this one a single that plated Olson and gave the Redbirds a 5-2 lead.
Senior Amanda Fox, who had entered in relief of freshman Hannah Meshnick in the fifth inning, sat the Penguins down in order to close out the game and earn Illinois State's third straight victory.
BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Murray State)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher's duel through three complete innings, but Illinois State put up a trio of runs in the top of the fourth. A one-out walk to Knight followed by a single from Standish and a passed ball put two runners in scoring position for the Redbirds. Masching drew a walk to load the bases and Jefferson was issued the third walk of the inning to collect an RBI. Standish, who was on third, scored on a wild pitch and another passed ball allowed Masching to cross the plate. The Redbirds were up 3-0 through three and a half innings played.
Another trio of runs came for the Redbirds in the top of the sixth as Jefferson led off the inning with an infield single. Freshman Abby Horton entered to pinch run for Jefferson. LaFountaine reached on a fielder's choice and Horton beat the throw to second in order to give Illinois State two on and no outs. A deep fly ball to center for the first out of the inning moved the runners up 60 feet. Horton scored from third on a wild pitch and LaFountaine swiped third. Bryant doubled to drive in LaFountaine and then scored herself on a fielder's choice by Olson. Illinois State held a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom half of the sixth.
Murray State scored its lone run of the game on an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, but freshman pitcher Hannah Meeks was lights out in the seventh to secure the Redbirds' fourth straight victory.
NOTES
- Meeks tossed a career-high five strikeouts against Murray State and currently leads the Redbirds' pitching staff in wins with four.
- Illinois State won its fourth straight game, making this its longest win streak of the season.
ON DECK
Illinois State will open Missouri Valley Conference play at Belmont (13-6) in Nashville, Tenn. on Mar. 17-19. The Redbirds and Bruins will play three contests over the course of three days with games slated for Friday, Mar. 17 at 5 p.m. CT, Saturday, Mar. 18 at 2 p.m. CT and Sunday, Mar. 19 at 12 p.m. CT.
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