Redbirds Close Out Opening Tournament in Tampa

Tampa, Fla. –  The Redbirds finished the USF-Rawlings tournament, dropping two contests against Oregon State and nationally ranked, No.18 Florida.

The Redbirds were defeated by the Beavers in the exact same fashion as their contest, a year ago, in 2023. At the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz. in 2023, the teams met for the second time, in a contest that was scoreless until the Beavers walked it off in the bottom of the seventh, the exact same fashion to which the 'Birds fell in the contest this meeting.

Hannah Meeks went the full 6.1against the Beavers, allowing five hits, two walks, and only one run, unearned. Abby Knight was 2-for-3 in the game, earning her 99^th career-hit. Against the Gators, Adisyn Hopkins  earned her first career hit, in her debut at the plate for the 'Birds.

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Abby Knight: 2-for-3, 2 singles
• Madi Bylak: 1-for-1, 1 single
• Payton Brown: 1-for-3
• Ella Boyer: 1-for-3

Pitching Breakdown:

• Hannah Meeks: (0-2) 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 25 BF

HOW IT HAPPENED

In a repeat battle for the 'Birds and the Beavers, the game was quiet for almost 6 innings, with only a scattering of hits. Abby Knight earned the first hit of the day for the Redbirds, in the top of the first, coming on a single to left. Ella Boyer singled to lead off the top of the third, but the Redbirds were unable to string the offense together to push one across. The Beavers threatened in the third, but the Redbird defense kept them scoreless.

In the fifth and the sixth, Madi Bylak and Payton Brown singled, respectively, but were unable to score. The game would come down to the bottom of the seventh, where the Beavers put one aboard on an errant throw and would score after a sacrifice bunt, and an eventual single.

NOTES

• Hannah Meeks did not give up an earned run in the 0-1 loss
• Knight's two singles put her at 99 career-hits, one away from the 100 milestone

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

• Delainey Bryant: 2-for-3, 2 singles
• Kaili Chval: 1-for-3, RBI
• Adisyn Hopkins, 1-for-1, R (First career hit)
• Jayden Standish: 1-for-3, 1 single
• Madi Bylak: 1-for-3, 1 single

Pitching Breakdown:

• Hannah Meshnick: (0-3) 2.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1K, 15 BF
• Paige McLeod: (0-0) 3.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 1K, 19 BF

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gators offense proved too much for Illinois State's pitching staff today as the 18^th ranked team in the country put up 12, scoring six in the top of the third, after scoring three between the first two innings. The Gators continued to tack on run support scoring one in the fourth, and two in the fifth, to secure the eventual run rule victory.

The Redbirds were able to push one across in the bottom of the fifth beginning with a single from Adisyn Hopkins , whose first collegiate hit put one on for the 'Birds. Back-to-back singles from Bylak and Bryant and a fielder's choice from Chval, allowed Hopkins to come across, but unfortunately the sole run was not enough to overcome the deficit.

ON DECK

Illinois State will travel to Tempe and Phoenix, Ariz. for the beginning of the Littlewood Classic, with games hosted by both Arizona State and Grand Canyon University. The first of five games will begin at 2:15 PM CT on Friday, Feb.16 against Brighman Young University.

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