NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball (20-16, 10-2 MVC) fell 5-4 in a hard-fought loss to Missouri State (19-16, 10-3 MVC) to even the series on Saturday afternoon.
The Redbirds took their first loss at home this season and snapped an 11-game win streak in the loss to the Bears. The rubber match is set for noon CT on Sunday, Apr. 9 at Marian Kneer Stadium.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
- Delainey Bryant, 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI, R
- Dayna Kennedy: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Jayden Standish: 2-for-4
- Addison Masching: 1-for-3, BB, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meeks: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, WP, 2 HBP
- Hannah Meshnick (L, 4-6): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, HBP
- Amanda Fox: 2.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 SO
HOW IT HAPPENED
Freshman Hannah Meeks had some traffic on the bases in the top of the first as both she hit two batters to put two on for the Bears, but was able to get a fly out to end the inning.
Illinois State took an early lead in the bottom half of the first as sophomore Delainey Bryant smashed a leadoff home run over the wall in left field. Senior Kaili Chval reached base on a bunt single down the third base line to put runner on and no outs. Two consecutive fly outs allowed Chval to tag up and move into scoring position. Sophomore Addison Masching singled up the middle to bring Chval home and the Redbirds led 2-0. Another single by junior Jayden Standish forced a pitching change for the Bears'. The new pitcher got the third and final out before any more runs could cross for Illinois State.
Missouri State took the lead in the top of the third as the Bear's started the inning with back-to-back singles. After senior catcher Dayna Kennedy caught a pop up bunt in foul territory for the first out, another single from Missouri State loaded the bases. A double drove in two runs and kept two runners in scoring position for the Bears. Meeks was able to get the second out of the inning on a pop up to Bryant at shortstop, but a wild pitch in the next at-bat allowed the runner on third to score. Meeks, who was covering home, seemed to get injured on the play and freshman Hannah Meshnick entered in relief. Meshnick finished the at-bat and got a swinging strikeout to end the inning, but not before the Bears' took a 3-2 lead.
The Redbirds were able to tie it up in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Chloe Jefferson singled down the left field line and senior Brandi LaFountaine doubled off the wall in left center field to put two runners in scoring position with only one out in the inning. Kennedy delivered a single to left field, scoring Jefferson from third to tie the game at 3-3. Another pitching change ensued for Missouri State and the Bears got the final two outs before any more runs could score.
Missouri State regained the lead in the top of the fifth as a crucial caught stealing call, which would have been the second out of the inning, was overturned because of obstruction by fifth-year senior second baseman Emme Olson. With one out and a runner on second, Missouri State knocked a double to left center, scoring the runner. Another double followed and another run scored to give the Bears a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the sixth, Kennedy was able to cut the Redbirds' deficit to one run as she lifted a solo shot over the wall in left field, just inside the foul pole.
The heart of the lineup came around in the bottom of the seventh and Masching drew a two-out walk to extend the game but a groundout by Standish ended the game. Illinois State dropped the second game of the series 5-4 despite outhitting Missouri State.
NOTES
- Illinois State lost its 11-game win streak and drops to 10-2 in conference play this season. It is also the first game the Redbirds have lost at home during the 2023 season.
- Kennedy blasted her seventh home run of the season and her second in as many games. Her bloop single also drove in the tying run earlier in the game.
- LaFountaine made an incredible catch out in right field in foul territory. The ball was hooking out of play, but LaFountaine landed on top of the rolled-up tarp to make the catch in foul territory in the top of the sixth.
- Olson is still searching for her 200th hit as she was 0-for-3 at the plate today, but reached base on a walk.
ON DECK
Illinois State (20-16, 10-2 MVC) will face Missouri State (19-16, 10-3 MVC) in the rubber match of the series on Sunday, Apr. 9 at noon CT at Marian Kneer Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
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