NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Illinois State (10-15) was able to grab the lead early and hold on to it as the Redbirds even the three-game series at one apiece with a 4-2 victory over Belmont (14-10) on Saturday afternoon.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Amanda Fox (W, 2-2): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO, HBP
- Hannah Ross (SV): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER
HOW IT HAPPENED
Unlike the first game of the series, the Redbirds did not have to wait long to collect their first hit of the game. Fifth-year senior Emme Olson and sophomore Abby Knight knocked a pair of two-out singles in the top of the first, but Illinois State was unable to bring them home.
A two-out single from junior Hanna Hicks started a Redbird rally in the top of the second. Senior Dayna Kennedy followed with another single as Hicks moved from first to third and Kennedy ended up on second on the throw. The Redbirds' third two-out single of the inning came from sophomore Delainey Bryant and Hicks and Kennedy both scored. Illinois State led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the second.
Senior pitcher Amanda Fox found herself in some trouble in the bottom of the second as she issued a leadoff walk, allowed a single and gave up another walk to load the bases with no outs. Fox came back and got pair of strikeouts to ease some of the pressure. To end the inning, Kennedy caught the runner on second too far off the bag and Fox was able to escape the second unscathed.
The Redbirds added to their lead in the top of the fourth as Bryant collected another two RBI. Junior Jayden Standish led off the inning with a single down the left field line. An out followed, but Hicks then singled up the middle to advance Standish and put two on with one out. A fly out from Kennedy advanced both runners into scoring position. Bryant then smashed a double, driving in both Standish and Hicks, but got caught trying to go to third base and the inning ended.
Belmont cut Illinois State's lead in half in the bottom of the fifth as Ally Turner entered to pinch hit in the designated player spot for the Bruins with one out. Turner drew a one-out walk from Fox and her teammate Nicole Hughes followed up with a single to left field. A double from Emily Cockrill drove in one run and left Hughes on third. A fielder's choice allowed Brenna Blume to reach first base safely and move Cockrill over to third, but Hughes was tagged out trying to go home. A two-out single from Kristen Green brought Cockrill home, but Green was tagged out at second trying to stretch the single into a double. The inning was over with the Redbirds still leading 4-2.
Senior Hannah Ross entered the circle in relief of Fox in the bottom of the sixth. Ross allowed one hit in her two innings pitched and shutdown the Bruins' offense to close out the Redbirds' first Missouri Valley Conference victory of the 2023 season.
NOTES
- Junior Hanna Hicks entered this weekend 0-for-12 so far this season in 10 games played, but she is currently 3-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and two runs scored across two games played in the Belmont series.
- Senior Hannah Ross earned her first save of the season as she tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in a relief appearance against Belmont. It is only the second save of her career as she earned one during the 2022 season as well.
- Sophomore Delainey Bryant drove in all four of the Redbirds' runs against Belmont to secure a new career high in RBI in a single game with four. Her previous career high was three RBI which happened on five occasions in 2022.
- Not only was this the Redbirds first MVC victory of the season, but it is first-year head coach Tina Kramos' first career conference win as head coach of Illinois State.
ON DECK
Illinois State (10-15) and Belmont (14-10) will meet for the rubber match of three-game series on Sunday, Mar. 19 at noon CT.
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