NORMAL, Ill. –  The Redbirds fell 4-2 in a heartbreaking walk-off, after a grand slam from Southern Illinois ended their run in the semifinals of the MVC tournament. The Redbirds finish the season 23-31, after earning a win in the first round of the tournament.
Paige McLeod went the distance for the 'Birds, having not given up an earned run in the tournament until the grand slam. Addison Masching hit her third home run of the year, while going 3-for-3 in the game. After her start in the game, Kaili Chval cemented herself in the Redbird record books as she became fourth all-time in career games played at 218.
'BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Paige McLeod: (L, 16-10) 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 K, 1 HBP, 29 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first inning, the Redbirds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, on a solo homerun from Addison Masching, her third of the year, which doubled as the third of her career. After the solo shot, the Redbirds and the Salukis remained scoreless through three full innings, with the 'Birds working out of a bases-loaded jam to end the threat in the bottom of the sixth.
The Redbirds added another run in the top of the sixth, coming on two hits. Bryant led off the inning with a single to left, before moving over on a sac-bunt from Kaili Chval. A single to center from Abby Knight plated the second run of the game, which took starting pitcher Maddia Groff out of the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Salukis loaded the bases on a walk, a single, and a hit by pitch, before the Salukis hit a walk-off grand slam to end the game, and the season for the Redbirds.
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