NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite a come-from-behind effort by Illinois State (9-15) that included the winning run being represented at the plate in the top of the seventh, Belmont (14-9) was able to fend off the rallying Redbirds and take the 4-1 victory in the Missouri Valley Conference opening game on Friday evening.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross (2-6): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 5 K, HBP
HOW IT HAPPENED
As Illinois State and Belmont squared off for the first time as conference opponents, the Bruins were able to take an early lead over the Redbirds in the bottom of the second. A leadoff triple from the freshman catcher Brenna Blume started off the second inning rally for the Bruins. The Redbirds got an out as the following batter reached on a fielder's choice, but got caught trying to extend to second base. With one out in the inning, a walk and a stolen base put two runners on, both in scoring position. Right fielder Kailey Brown then hit an RBI-double to left and after securing the second out the inning from the next batter, the Bruins' third baseman Kaley Varner tripled down the right field line and Brown scored. After two complete innings, the Bruins led 3-0.
Belmont added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth as Blume knocked an RBI-double and Nicole Hughes scored from third, but Emily Cockrill got caught trying to score from second as sophomore Addison Masching threw a dart from left field to senior catcher Dayna Kennedy at home to keep another run off the board for the Bruins.
Illinois State picked up its first hit of the game in the top of the sixth as senior Kaili Chval, who had reached earlier on an error by the Bruins' shortstop, beat out an infield single to third base. Nothing came of the hit and Belmont still led 4-0 after six complete innings.
The Redbirds began to mount a comeback in the top of the seventh as junior Jayden Standish drew a leadoff walk to start the inning. Masching then followed with a single to center to put two runners on. Freshman Bailah Bognar entered to pinch run for Standish, and Bognar and Masching both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. The Bruins' pitcher Maya Johnson was able to get the first out of the inning before junior Hanna Hicks stepped in for her second at-bat of the day. Hicks then popped a bloop single into shallow right field for her first hit of the season and to break the shutout as Bognar was able to score from third. Kennedy was next in the lineup and represented the tying run, but she drew a walk to load the bases. Sophomore Delainey Bryant and fifth-year senior Emme Olson both got at-bats in the top of the seventh and represented the winning run, but the Redbirds were unable to complete the comeback. Belmont took the MVC opening game 4-1 over Illinois State.
NOTES
- Junior Hanna Hicks collected her first hit and first RBI of 2023 in her second at-bat of the game. She also drew her third walk of the season in the top of the fifth inning when she entered to pinch hit for senior Brandi LaFountaine. Hicks then remained in the game to play right field.
ON DECK
Illinois State (9-15) and Belmont (14-9) will meet for the second game of the three-game series on Saturday, Mar. 18 at 2 p.m. CT. Live stats will be available as well as an ESPN3 broadcast.
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.
