NORMAL, Ill. – Senior pitcher Hannah Ross tossed her second shutout in as many starts in the circle to lead Illinois State (20-15, 10-1 MVC) to its 20th win on the season and earn a victory in a key Missouri Valley Conference matchup against Missouri State (18-16, 9-3 MVC) in the first game of the series.
The Redbirds improve to 10-1 in conference play and extend their win streak to 11 games. Illinois State has also won 15 of its last 16 games with the one loss to Belmont in the opening game of Valley play.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
- Kaili Chval: 2-for-3, 2B, BB, R
- Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3, 2B, BB, RBI, R
- Dayna Kennedy: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, R
- Addison Masching: 1-for-3, 2B, R
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a quiet first inning from both squads, Illinois State put a few runs on the board in the bottom of the second. Sophomore Addison Masching shot a double down the left field line to put a runner in scoring position for junior Jayden Standish. A perfectly placed bunt allowed Standish to reach, but a bad throw from the Bears' third baseman allowed Masching to score and take the lead. Senior Chloe Jefferson reached base on a single to left center and senior Brandi LaFountaine moved Standish and Jefferson to third and second respectively on a sacrifice bunt. After getting the second out of the inning, Missouri State intentionally walked sophomore Delainey Bryant to load the bases and face senior Kaili Chval. Chval made the Bears' pay as she hit a rocket at the shortstop who misplayed the ball and allowed two runs to score. The Redbirds lead 3-0 after two innings.
Illinois State added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth as senior Dayna Kennedy collected her sixth home run of the season as she blasted a solo shot over the wall in right field to put the 'Birds up 4-0.
Another run crossed the plate for Illinois State in the bottom of the fifth. Chval led off the inning with a double to wall in left center, forcing Missouri State to make a pitching change. A groundout from fifth-year senior Emme Olson moved Chval to third who then scored on a single through the left side from sophomore Abby Knight.
The Redbirds put up two final runs in the bottom of the sixth. Jefferson knocked a leadoff single and freshman Abby Horton entered to pinch run. LaFountaine collected her second sacrifice bunt of the game to move Horton over to second with one out in the inning. A groundout from Kennedy allowed Horton to move up to third and Bryant doubled down the left field line to bring her home. Chval recorded her second hit of the day on an infield single that put runners on the corners. Olson then dropped a single into center field to score Bryant and extend the Redbirds' lead to 7-0.
Ross scattered four hits across her complete game shutout of the Bears' while picking up eight strikeouts and only allowing one walk. It was another wonderful performance in the circle from Ross to lead the Redbirds to their 20th win of the season and extend their win streak to 11 games.
NOTES
- Illinois State won its 11th game in a row and remains undefeated at home this season.
- The Redbirds improve to 10-1 in conference play to remain in second place in the Valley behind the undefeated UNI Panthers (21-10, 10-0 MVC). Southern Illinois follows closely with a 10-2 conference record.
- Ross has tossed back-to-back shutouts in her last two starts while only allowing six hits across 14.0 IP and fanning 19 batters. She has not allowed an earned run in her last 20.1 innings pitched and has only let one run cross in that stretch.
- Kennedy blasted her sixth home run of the season to lead the team in the category. She also leads the team in slugging percentage at .657.
- Olson's lone hit of the game was her 199th career hit. She is one hit away from her 200th career hit and will only be the 7thRedbird since 1978 to have 200+ hits in her career. She is also two doubles away from breaking the program record for career doubles.
ON DECK
Illinois State (20-15, 10-1 MVC) will face Missouri State in the second game of the weekend series on Saturday, Apr. 8 at Marian Kneer Stadium at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and live stats will be available.
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