'Birds Drop Doubleheader at UNI

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa. –  The Redbirds dropped a doubleheader in Cedar Falls on Saturday against the Panthers of UNI. The 'Birds move to 19-29 on the season, and 13-10 in Valley play.

Addison Masching moved her hitting streak to eight games, while Delainey Bryant earned her 31^st consecutive game reaching base. Hannah Tomlianovich made her first-career start in game two of the day for the 'Birds, while Paige McLeod tied her career-high in strikeouts at eight. The Redbirds had 10 hits on the day including doubles in game two from Julia Larson and Masching.

'BIRD BITS (Game 1)

Offensive Highlights:

• Adisyn Hopkins: 1-for-2
• Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3
• Addison Masching: 1-for-2
• Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-2

Pitching Breakdown:

• Hannah Meshnick: (L, 7-13) 4.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 7 BB, 3 K, 28 BF

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Redbirds and Meshnick made quick work of the Panthers in the first two innings, earning two strikeouts, and keeping UNI hitless. But in the top of the third, the Panthers got on the board with a solo shot to over the left field wall.

The Panthers added more run support in the fourth inning coming on another solo homerun and three singles to go ahead by four.

In the top of the fifth, the 'Birds battled to load the bases on a leadoff single from Addison Masching, another single from Delainey Bryant, and a walk from Kaili Chval. The Panthers then worked a strikeout to get out the of the jam unscathed.

UNI loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and earned three more runs on walks that ended the game in an 8-0 run-rule victory over the 'Birds.

'BIRD BITS (Game 2)

Offensive Highlights:

• Julia Larson: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
• Adisyn Hopkins: 2-for-3, 2B
• Addison Masching: 1-for
• Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-3

Pitching Breakdown:

• Paige McLeod: (L, 12-9) 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, 30 BF

HOW IT HAPPENED

Paige McLeod started the bottom of the first on a roll earning back-to-back strikeouts to retire the first two Panther batters. The momentum carried into the 'Birds at-bats as they plated their first run of the day on a double down the left field line from Julia Larson. Bella Wilkerson led-off the inning with a single to right, as her pinch-runner, Payton Brown, came around to score.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers tied it up on a single and a sac-fly. UNI then added on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run to right center. The Panthers then plated a solo run in the sixth on a single up the middle.

The low scoring game was a pitcher's duel, as both starter's totaled 15 strikeouts in the game. McLeod tied her season and career-high of eight strikeouts.  

UP NEXT

The Redbirds will take on the Panthers for the final game of the three-game series tomorrow, Sunday, Apr. 27 at 12:00 p.m. CT. The 'Birds will then host their final conference series of the regular senior when Evansville comes to Normal.

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