NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball (17-15, 7-1 MVC) turned in a pair of victories over UIC (0-31, 0-9) Sunday afternoon to complete a series sweep of the Flames and remain undefeated on the Redbirds' home field.
The Redbirds collected their second series sweep of the season after going 3-0 against Valparaiso last weekend (Mar. 24-26). Illinois State improves to 7-1 in the Valley with its one loss to Belmont in the opening game of conference play. The Redbirds currently hold a eight-game win streak and they have improved to two games above .500.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Flames came out hot in the first game of the day as UIC was able to plate a pair in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.
UIC added to its early lead in the top of the third as a two-out walk sparked a rally. A pair of singles followed and drove in a run for the Flames to take a 3-0 lead over the Redbirds.
Illinois State was not able to plate a run until the bottom of the fifth. Senior Dayna Kennedy led off the inning with an infield single to third base and UIC made a pitching change. Sophomore Delainey Bryant drew a walk from the new Flames' hurler and senior Kaili Chval followed Bryant with an RBI single that scored freshman Abby Horton who had entered to pinch run for Kennedy. With two on, fifth-year senior Emme Olson reached safely on an error by the defense to load the bases. Sophomore Abby Knight smoked a ball up the middle that bounced off the pitcher to the second baseman who tossed it to first to get Knight, but Bryant was able to score to cut the lead to 3-2 in favor of UIC.
As the Redbirds had two runners in scoring position with only one out, UIC made another change in the circle. Sophomore Addison Masching drew a four pitch walk to reload the bases and junior Jayden Standish drew another walk to bring in the tying run. UIC made a third change in the circle before facing senior Chloe Jefferson. Jefferson ripped a ball down the left field line that hit off third base and Olson and Masching both scored to give the Redbirds the lead for the first time all game. Senior Brandi LaFountaine hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in the sixth run of the inning and Illinois State led 6-3 after five complete innings.
Freshman Hannah Meshnick, who had entered in relief of freshman Hannah Meeks, was lights out the final two innings to earn the win in the circle and lead Illinois State to a series win over UIC.
BIRDS BITS (Game 2)
Offensive Highlights:
- Jayden Standish: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Brandi LaFountaine: 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Dayna Kennedy: 1-for-2, HR, 2 BB, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Abby Knight: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State was able to grab an early lead in the bottom of the first as Knight singled up the middle with Olson on first to put two runners on with two outs in the inning. Masching knocked another single up the middle and Olson was able to score from second. Standish followed with another single to right field and Knight was able to score, but Standish got tagged out at second to end the inning. After a full inning in the books, the Redbirds led 2-0.
There was traffic on the basepaths for UIC in the top of the second, but Kennedy picked off the runner on third for the second out of the inning and senior Amanda Fox collected her lone strikeout of the game to end the Flames' threat.
LaFountaine added to the Redbirds' lead in the bottom of the second with a solo home run that almost hit off the Marian Kneer scoreboard in right field. The Redbirds were up 3-0 after two complete.
The bottom of the third proved to be a big inning for the Redbird offensive as Illinois State was able to plate eight runs in their half of the inning. Olson led off the inning by drawing a walk and freshman Bailah Bognar entered to pinch run for her. An error by the Flames' second baseman allowed Masching to reach safely and a groundout from Knight moved both runners into scoring position. Standish then doubled to left field, scoring Bognar and Knight. Another error, this one a dropped fly ball by UIC's right fielder, allowed Jefferson to reach safely and advance to second while Standish ended up on third. LaFountaine collected another RBI on her second sacrifice fly of the day as her fly out to right field scored Standish and Jefferson moved to third.
Following the sac fly, Kennedy drew a four pitch walk to bring it back to the top of the Redbirds' lineup. Bryant singled to left field and Jefferson scored to make it 7-0 in favor of Illinois State. Another walk to Chval loaded the bases with Olson coming back up to bat for the second time this inning. A wild pitch from the Flames allowed the runners to advance and Kennedy scored. UIC made its third error of the inning to allow Olson to reach safely and advance to second while both Chval and Bryant were able to cross home plate. A single down the right field line from Knight scored Olson from second and forced a pitching change from the Flames. A groundout from Masching finally ended the Redbirds' rally, and Illinois State led 11-0 after three complete.
A solo home run in the top of the fourth put UIC on the board and a three-run home run in the top of the fifth moved the Flames out of run-rule territory, making it 11-4. UIC was able to plate one more in the inning on a single to center field and the game headed into the bottom of the fifth as the Redbirds led 11-5.
A hit-by-pitch to Olson and a double by Knight put two runners on in the fifth for Illinois State, but the Redbirds were unable to plate a run.
UIC started the top of the sixth with a pair of singles and an error allowed the Flames to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed the runner on third to score and bring it to 11-6. A strikeout followed by a double play ended the inning before UIC could do any more damage.
Standish led off the home half of the sixth with a single to center field and sophomore Bella Wilkerson, who entered as the designated player in the fourth inning, singled through the left side to put two on. LaFountaine stayed hot at the plate as she singled up the middle which allowed Standish to score from second. Kennedy, the reigning MVC Player of the Week, followed LaFountaine with a three-run home run to left center field to walk off UIC 15-6 after six innings and secure a series sweep for the Redbirds.
NOTES
- Illinois State has now won eight straight games, starting with the 4-2 victory over Belmont on Mar. 18. With the pair of wins over UIC, the Redbirds improve to 17-15, making it the first time they have been above .500 all season. Illinois State's 7-1 conference record currently puts the Redbirds in sole possession of second in the MVC as UNI is undefeated in Valley play so far this season.
- The Redbirds secured their second MVC sweep of the 2023 season after going 3-0 against Valparaiso last weekend (Mar. 24-26).
- LaFountaine's home run was her first this season and only the second of her career.
- Kennedy, the reigning MVC Player of the Week, hit a walk-off, three-run home run which was her fifth of the season. Kennedy is tied with Bryant for the team lead in the category.
ON DECK
Illinois State (17-15, 7-1 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Ill., as Bradley (10-26, 2-7 MVC) will host the Redbirds for a pair of games on Tuesday, Apr. 4 and Wednesday, Apr. 5 for some midweek MVC action. Both contests are set to begin at 5 p.m. CT.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
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