EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Redbirds opened the SIUE Cougar Invite with a dominant 12-0 victory over St. Thomas in their first meeting in program history. The Redbirds scattered seven hits throughout the game while taking advantage of errors and extra bases to secure the victory.
Julia Larson led the way for the 'Birds going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Hannah Meshnick went the complete 5.0 innings on the mound only giving up three hits and earning for strikeouts in 19 batters faced.
'Bird Bits
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds scored early and often in order to create a 12-run deficit over the Tommies during the win this afternoon. In the first inning, the Redbirds capitalized on three errors from St. Thomas as well as a single from Kaili Chval to go ahead by an early three-run lead. In the second, the Redbird offensive came up with five runs on three hits and two more errors by the Tommies. Bylak's two-run single set the tone for the 'Birds and the continued offense throughout the remaining innings.
After two quiet innings in the third and the fourth, the Redbirds tacked on a final four insurance runs in the top of the fifth, with the help of singles from Julia Larson, Hanna Hicks, and Jayden Standish.
Hannah Meshnick finished out the game on the mound getting two groundouts and a strikeout to secure a shutout in the books.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will take on Loyola Chicago tomorrow, Mar. 2 at 2:30 p.m. CT, before taking on the host team SIUE at 7:30 p.m. CT for day two of the SIUE Cougar Invite.
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