SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Redbirds put together a late rally, but it was not enough to defeat Missouri State in the final game of the opening series of conference play.
Delainey Bryant put the Redbirds on the board with a three-run home run, her second hit of the day, and her second home run of the year. Hanna Hicks also earned her second homer of the season, on a pinch-hit solo shot which brought the deficit to just two. Freshman, Ella Boyer, had a multi-hit performance going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
'BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Paige McLeod: (W, 4-4) 3.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 19 BF
- Hannah Meshnick: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 13 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first inning, Delainey Bryant started the game with a single to right, and was moved over on a sac from Kaili Chval. Abby Knight hit into a fielder's choice to get aboard, but the Redbirds were unable to cash in the two runners on base. In the second, Ella Boyer singled for her first hit of the day, but a double-play ended the inning, stranding Boyer.
Missouri State scored six runs over the first four innings, but the Redbirds did not give up fighting. In the top of the fifth, Boyer got on with another single, followed by a walk from Bella Wilkerson. Bryant got the 'Birds on the board with a three-run home run, her second of the season, which cut the deficit to three. In the top of the sixth, Hanna Hicks, pinch hit for Julia Larson, and sent her own solo shot over the left field wall.
In the sixth, Missouri State got the run back on its own solo shot, bringing the deficit back to three. The Lady Bears would go on to hold the lead and take the 7-4 victory.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will be back in action Tuesday, Mar. 19, for the Marian Kneer home opener against in-state rival Illinois, beginning at 5:00 p.m. CT.
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