NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State (11-15, 1-1 MVC) had its most explosive inning of the season in the bottom of the sixth against DePaul (8-14, 0-3 Big East) as the Redbirds scored 10 runs on five hits to complete the 10-3 come-from-behind victory in their home opener on Tuesday afternoon.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:Â
- Emme Olson: 1-for-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Addison Masching: 2-for-3, BB, 2 RBI, R
- Abby Knight: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R
- Chloe Jefferson: 1-for-3, 2B, R, HBP
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meshnick (2-5): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, WP, HBP
- Hannah Meeks (W, 5-2): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER
- Hannah Ross (2-6): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher's duel to start the Redbirds' home opener against DePaul. There were a combined three hits between the two squads through the first four innings of play.Â
The Blue Demons struck first when the second batter of the game, Addison Talbot, hit a solo home run over the left field wall. DePaul added to its 1-0 lead in the top of the third when a one-out walk put Grace Frazier at first for the Blue Demons. Frazier advanced to second on a wild pitch and a single up the middle by Brooke Johnson scored Frazier from second.Â
In the top of the fifth, freshman Hannah Meeks entered in relief of freshman starter Hannah Meshnick who had pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on three hits in her home debut.Â
Another RBI single in the top of the sixth by Tori Meyer scored Nicole Sullivan and gave the Blue Demons a 3-0 lead through five and a half innings.Â
The bottom of the sixth is when the Redbirds' bats came alive as Illinois State scored 10 runs on five hits and forced DePaul to make three pitching changes. The inning started with a leadoff walk drawn by fifth-year senior Emme Olson. Sophomore Abby Knight followed up with a double to the gap in left center field to give the Redbirds two runners in scoring position. Olson then scored on a single up the middle by sophomore Addison Masching, and the 'Birds were on the board for the first time.Â
After the RBI single by Masching, DePaul made a change in the circle, calling on Abbey Pochie with runners at the corners for Illinois State. Junior Jayden Standish then was able to reach on a fielder's choice as the throw went to second to try to get Masching, but a poor throw by the third baseman allowed Masching to be safe and advance to third while Knight scored. Junior Hanna Hicks reached on a fielder's choice as Standish was out at second and Masching crossed the plate to tie the game at 3-3.Â
With Hicks on first, senior Chloe Jefferson was hit by a pitch and senior Dayna Kennedy drew a walk to load the bases for the Redbirds. Back to the top of the order, sophomore Delainey Bryant singled through the left side, driving in Hicks and taking the lead 4-3 over the Blue Demons. The bases were still loaded with one out for senior Kaili Chval and she drew a walk to earn an RBI and extend the Redbirds' lead.Â
The walk to Chval forced another pitching change in the circle as Bella Nigey entered in relief of Pochie. As the batting order turned over, Olson was the first batter Nigey faced and she ripped a two-RBI single up the middle that scored Bryant and Kennedy. With Chval and Olson on first and second, Knight got her second hit of the inning, this one a single up the middle that loaded the bases again. A walk to Masching allowed Chval to cross the plate and bring the Redbirds' lead to 8-3.Â
The third and final pitching change by DePaul was made after the walk was issued to Masching and starting pitcher Brenna Smith reentered to attempt to stop the sixth inning rally by the Redbirds. With the bases loaded, Standish grounded to third, but a fielding error by the third baseman allowed everyone to be safe and Olson scored. The final run of the inning was on a sacrifice fly from Hicks to left field that scored Knight from third. A fly out to center field by Jefferson finally ended the crazy inning.
Illinois State took a 10-3 lead into the top of the seventh as senior pitcher Hannah Ross entered to close out the victory. Ross pitched a scoreless inning and picked up a strikeout to help give the Redbirds a 10-3 victory in their 2023 home debut at Marian Kneer Stadium.Â
NOTES
- The 10 runs scored in the sixth inning are the most by the Redbirds in a single inning this season and it ties Illinois State's 2023 season high in runs scored in a game.Â
- Illinois State has now evened the all-time series with DePaul at 20-20-1.Â
- Illinois State used three pitchers in the game versus DePaul – all named "Hannah". Freshman Hannah Meshnick made her debut at Marian Kneer Stadium, getting the start in the circle. Freshman Hannah Meeks also appeared in her first game at the home stadium as she entered in relief and picked up another win in the circle. Finally, senior Hannah Ross entered to close out the game and tossed a scoreless inning in the top of the seventh.Â
- Junior Jayden Standish and senior Dayna Kennedy both extended their on-base streaks to seven consecutive games.Â
- The Redbirds have won six out of the last seven games they have played. The one loss was to conference foe Belmont in the opening game of conference play.Â
- Another Redbird home debut occurred for first-year head coach Tina Kramos. Kramos has been coaching at Marian Kneer Stadium for 23 years, but for the first time, she coached a game as head coach of Illinois State and earned her first victory on the home field.Â
- This was Illinois State's earliest home opener since the 2015 season when the Redbirds opened their home slate against UNI on March 14.Â
ON DECK
Illinois State (11-15, 1-1 MVC) is back in action on Friday, March 24 at Valparaiso (3-18, 0-3 MVC) for the Redbirds' second conference series of the 2023 season.Â
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