Redbirds Fall 4-3 to Murray State

NORMAL, Ill.- The Redbirds fell 4-3 to the Murray State Racers in a battle on Saturday afternoon. The Redbirds move to 2-3 in conference and 8-22 on the season.

Bella Wilkerson hit her first home run of the season to bring the 'Birds within a one-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh. Both Wilkerson and Abby Knight had a multi-hit performances with two hits apiece. Delainey Bryant preserved her on-base streak moving to 14 consecutive games, tying for the second-longest streak in the nation.

'BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

Bella Wilkerson: 2-for-3, HR, 2B 2 RBI, R
Abby Knight: 2-for-3, RBI
Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3, R
Julia Larson: 1-for-3, R

Pitching Breakdown:

Paige McLeod: (L, 5-5) 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 K, 17 BF
Hannah Meshnick: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K, 14 BF 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Redbirds got on top first, plating one run in the bottom of the first inning. Delainey Bryant began the game with a single to the left side, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kaili Chval. On back-to-back singles from Adisyn Hopkins and Abby Knight, Bryant came around to score. 

In the top of the third, Murray State earned the run back with two Redbird errors and a hit. Loading the bases, the Racers cashed one run in on a walk. The Racers added another run in the top of the fourth on a bunt single. 

After a pitching change for the Redbirds in the top of the fourth, the 'Birds made it out of the inning, but the next inning, in the fifth, the Racers added two runs on one hit, a two-run homer. 

The Redbirds made one final push in their last ups in the bottom of the seventh. Julia Larson began the inning beating out the throw for a bunt single. Bella Wilkerson, with one runner on, smashed a ball over the left-center wall for her first home run of the season. The two-run blast brought the deficit to just one run. With two away, the Redbirds were unable to complete the comeback and fell in game two of the series. 

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.