NORMAL, Ill. – Junior Hanna Hicks got the start in center field in the first game of the series against UNI and blasted her first career home run to put the Redbirds on the board first, but Illinois State (25-18, 14-4 MVC) dropped game one 6-3 to UNI (28-11, 17-1 MVC) Friday evening.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross (L, 9-8): 7.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 1 WP, 1 HBP
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher's duel between Illinois State's Hannah Ross and UNI's Samantha Heyer, but despite the Redbirds' outhitting the Panthers five hits to four, UNI ended up on top 6-3.
Illinois State took the lead in the bottom of the second as junior Hanna Hicks smashed her first career home run in her first at-bat of the day over the wall in left center field.
UNI then took the lead on a two-RBI double in the top of the third. The Panthers drew a leadoff walk to start the inning and a hit-by-pitch put two runners on. A double by one of UNI's top offensive players, freshman Alexis Pupillo, scored both runners and the Panthers took a 2-1 lead.
Illinois State threatened in the bottom of the fourth as senior Dayna Kennedy knocked a single up the middle and sophomore Addison Masching reached on an error with one out in the inning, but the Redbirds were unable to plate a run.
The Panthers added to their lead in the top of the fifth as the leadoff batter for UNI hit a solo home run and the lead moved to 3-1 through four and a half innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, fifth-year senior Emme Olson reached on a fielder's choice and sophomore Abby Knight came up to the plate with two outs in the inning. Knight shot a single up the middle to put two runners on again for the Redbirds. Junior Jayden Standish then doubled off the wall in left field for her second double of the day and Olson and Knight both scored to tie the game at 3-3.
UNI regained the lead in the top of the sixth as a leadoff walk came around to score after a stolen base, a groundout and a wild pitch. The Panthers took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Hicks was on base for the second time in the game with a one-out walk, but the Redbirds were unable to bring her home in the bottom of the sixth.
The Panthers tacked on a few extra runs in the top of the seventh as UNI launched a two-out, two-run home run to extend its lead to 6-3.
Illinois State had the top of the lineup due up in the bottom of the seventh, but a fly out and pair of groundouts ended the game at 6-3 in favor of the Panthers.
NOTES
- Illinois State outhit UNI in the first game of the series. The Redbirds had five total hits while UNI had only four.
- Ross was exceptional in the circle as the senior dished eight strikeouts, three of them to one of UNI's top hitters Mya Dodge. Ross scattered four hits across seven innings pitched against the Panthers.
- Hicks hit her first career home run to put the Redbirds on the board first after getting the start in center field.
- Standish knocked two doubles against UNI and tied a career high for doubles in a single game. Her second double of the day tied the game at 3-3.
ON DECK
Illinois State (25-18, 14-4 MVC) will continue the series against UNI (28-11, 17-1) on Saturday, Apr. 22 at Marian Kneer Stadium at 2 p.m. CT.
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