NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State (25-20, 14-6 MVC) falls 6-3 to top-seeded UNI (30-11, 19-1 MVC) in the series finale between the Redbirds and Panthers.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Ross: 6.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 2 WP
- Hannah Meshnick (L, 6-7): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB
HOW IT HAPPENED
Similar to the first two games of the series, Illinois State was able to grab an early lead over UNI.
UNI left a runner stranded in each of the first three innings as senior Hannah Ross kept her composure in the circle despite some traffic by the Panthers.
The Redbirds took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after being retired in order through the third inning. Senior Kaili Chval doubled down the left field line to give Illinois State a runner in scoring position with one out in the inning. Fifth-year senior Emme Olson then singled through the left side, Chval scored and Olson ended up on second after a bobble by the Panthers' right fielder. It was another 1-0 lead for the Redbirds through four complete innings.
Illinois State added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth as senior Chloe Jefferson and senior Brandi LaFountaine both reached on consecutive hit-by-pitches with no outs in the inning. A popup to third base by senior Dayna Kennedy brought the top of the order back around. Sophomore Delainey Bryant doubled down the left field line to score freshman Emma Hicks who had entered to pinch run for Jefferson. With runners on second and third, Chval reached on a fielder's choice and LaFountaine was called out at home. Olson then hit a ball back to the pitcher who bobbled it and Bryant scored to extend the lead to 3-0 after five complete innings.
UNI was able to scratch a pair of runs across in the top of the sixth as the Panthers led off the inning with a triple and a walk to put runners on the corners. A single up the middle allowed the runner on third to score and the throw went to third which allowed an extra base for the batter and UNI had two runners in scoring position with no outs. Ross came back to strikeout the next batter, but a flyout to center field allowed the runner on third to tag up and score on the sacrifice fly. The next batter singled to left field, but sophomore Addison Masching collected an outfield assist as the runner on second was called out at the plate on a seven-two putout. The throw by Masching saved the tying run from crossing the plate and kept the Illinois State lead at 3-2.
Home runs seem to be the storyline for UNI this season and that is exactly how the Panthers took the lead in the top of the seventh. Freshman Hannah Meshnick entered in relief of Ross to attempt to close the game. She got the first out on a flyout to right field, but a one-out single led to a two-run home run for the next batter in the Panthers' lineup and UNI took a 4-3 lead. Meshnick was able to get the second out on a groundout, but back-to-back, two-out walks forced a pitching change as Ross reentered to pitch for Illinois State. A wild pitch from Ross moved the runners up to second and third, but a double to the gap left center field scored both Panthers and UNI extended its lead to 6-3.
Illinois State went down in order in the bottom of the seventh, and despite holding the lead through six complete innings, UNI bested the Redbirds 6-3 to sweep the series.
ON DECK
Illinois State (25-20, 14-6) will head to Evansville, Ind. for its final road MVC series of the 2023 season against the Evansville Purple Aces (21-25, 7-13) on Apr. 28-30.
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