EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A day after Illinois State and Evansville played to a 10-inning battle, the teams again played to a one-run game, as Evansville (22-27, 8-15 MVC) took the middle game of the three-game series over the Redbirds (26-21, 15-7 MVC) on Saturday afternoon, setting up a series-winner-take-all Sunday afternoon showdown.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:Â
Delainey Bryant, 2-for-3, R, BB
Emme Olson, 2-for-4
Abby Knight, 0-4, RBI
Hanna Hicks, 0-1, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Amanda Fox, 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
Hannah Meshnick, 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a two and a half scoreless innings, Evansville struck first in the bottom of the third inning when Marah Wood hit a one-out solo home run into left center field, staking the hosts to a 1-0 advantage.
The Redbirds wasted no time in evening the score as Jayden Standish opened the fourth inning with a single, before Addison Masching advanced pinch-runner Abby Horton with a bunt single. Dayna Kennedy advanced both runners with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt, before Hanna Hicks chased home Horton with a sacrifice fly to center field.
After a scoreless bottom of the fourth ISU took a one-run lead in the top of the fifth inning when Delainey Bryant had an inning-opening single which was followed by a walk by Kaili Chval. Emme Olson followed with a single to left field to load the bases, before Abby Knight grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Bryant.
Jenna Nink led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run before pinch-hitter Brooke McCorkle doubled to left center field. After advancing to third base on a wild pitch, Sydney Kalonihea – who was re-entered to pinch run for McCorkle – scored on a sacrifice fly to put the hosts ahead 3-2.
The Redbirds threatened in the top of the seventh inning as Chval drew a one-out walk before Olson singled to center field to put Chval in scoring position; however, a line-out double play ended the game, and sending the series into a winner-take-all final game on Sunday.
ON DECK
The two schools meet again on Sunday with a noon first pitch, with the winner of the game winning the season series between the two schools.
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