Redbirds Fall 5-3 on Day Two of USF-Rawlings Tournament

Tampa, Fla. –  The Redbirds dropped a single game to Michigan (1-0) on day two of the USF-Rawlings Tournament in Tampa, Fla. The Wolverines made a late inning comeback to secure their first victory of the season.

Paige McLeod made her Redbird debut on the mound going 5.2 with two strikeouts before being relieved in the fifth from, Hannah Meshnick. Freshman, Payton Brown also earned her first collegiate hit which tied the game in the bottom of the sixth.

BIRD BITS 

Offensive Highlights:

• Abby Knight: 2-for-3, 2 singles, 1R
• Hanna Hicks: 1-for-3, HR, 1 RBI, 1R (Second career home run)
• Payton Brown: 1-for-3, 2 RBI (First collegiate hit)
• Kaili Chval: 1-for-2, 1 R

Pitching Breakdown:

• Paige McLeod: (0-0) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2Ks, 1 BB, 22 BF (First collegiate start)
• Hannah Meshnick: (0-2) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 BF

HOW IT HAPPENED

Just as the previous two games of the tournament, the 'Birds pitching staff continued to shine. Mcleod, in her first-career collegiate start, worked around only two hits through five innings. In the bottom of the fifth, it would be the Redbirds who struck first, coming on a long ball from senior, Hannah Hicks, only the second of her career. 

In the top of the sixth, Michigan scored three to go back out ahead, which brought Meshnick in for a  relief appearance. The Redbirds built an inning in the bottom of the sixth, beginning with a bunt single from Kaili Chval, and a drive up the middle from Abby Knight. With two away, Madi Bylak worked a walk to load the bases. Freshman, Payton Brown, then sent two-run single up the middle to earn not only her first collegiate hit, but a tie ballgame for the Redbirds. 

In the top of the seventh, the Wolverines responded with two unearned runs, and held on to take the late victory. 

NOTES

• Brown earned her first collegiate hit, a 2 RBI single
• McLeod earned her first two collegiate strikeouts while going 5.2 innings
• Knight's two single puts her at 97 total career hits

ON DECK

Illinois State will close out the final day of the USF-Rawlings tournament tomorrow (Feb. 10) with contests against Oregon State at 10:30 a.m. CT and No. 18 Florida, at 6:00 p.m. CT.

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