Phoenix, Ariz. – The Redbirds finished day two of the Littlewood Classic suffering a devastating 5-2 walk-off loss to Cal (9-1), as well as one-run decision to host team, Grand Canyon (6-2).
The Redbirds put up their first two runs of the tournament on hits from Abby Knight and Ella Boyer. In her first at-bat against the Bears, Knight earned her 100th career-hit. Against the Lopes of GCU, Hannah Meshnick tossed a gem, but the 'Birds could not overcome the deficit.
BIRD BITS (Game 1 vs Cal)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Between both the 'Birds and the Bears, there were only three hits scattered throughout the first three innings, with one being Knight's 100th career-hit. It was not until the bottom of the fourth that a hit would come again when Cal singled up the middle, but left a runner stranded. In the fifth, Cal got on the board first, with a solo homer to left, but the Redbirds came right back, responding in the sixth with two runs of their own.
The scoring for the 'Birds began with Boyer's double to left-center, which combined with an error and a fielder's choice from Adisyn Hopkins, the 'Birds were able to even the score. ISU took the lead in the inning off of an RBI single from Knight. Yet, the Bears came back on another solo shot in the bottom of the sixth as well as a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to walk off the 'Birds in their first game of the day.
NOTES
BIRD BITS (Game 2 at GCU)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meshnick: (0-4) 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1R, 1 ER, 3K, 21 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
Meshnick battled it out in a heated pitcher's duel, while only scattering three hits in the Redbirds one-run loss to GCU. The only run of the game was tallied in the first inning on a single from the Lopes that scored a runner who walked earlier in the inning.
Despite the one run deficit, Meshnick was lights out for the rest of the game earning three strikeouts. She helped her own case by adding a single in the top of the fifth. For the 'Birds, Chval and Knight made up the other two hits on the night, with a single and a double, respectively. The lone run would be enough for GCU to secure the victory in seven full.
NOTES
- This is the fourth Redbird game that has been decided by a one-run tally
ON DECK
Illinois State will head back to Tempe to face nationally ranked No. 21/17 Virginia Tech for the final game of the Littlewood Classic Feb.18 at 10:30 a.m. CT.
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