NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds took the walk-off win over Evansville, coming on a bases loaded walk, earning the 6-5 victory in game two, and the series victory over Evansville. The Redbirds move to 21-30 on the season and 15-11 in MVC playing, heading into the last game of the regular season.
The 'Birds scattered 13 hits in the game, with four players having multi-hit performances. Abby Knight led the efforts going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Paige McLeod earned her second win of the weekend, this time in relief, and has now pitched eight-straight hitless innings.
'BIRD BITS
Offensive Highlights:
- Abby Knight: 3-for-4, R, 2B, RBI
- Ella Boyer: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB
- Jayden Standish: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI
- Bella Wilkerson: 2-for-4, R, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meshnick: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 28 BF
- Paige McLeod: (W, 14-9) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 5 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
The 'Birds wasted no time getting on the board, plating three runs in the first inning. Delainey Bryant led the charge starting with a single to right-center before she moved over on a sac-bunt from Kaili Chval. Abby Knight then came up with a single and advanced two more bases on an error from the center fielder to score Bryant. Jayden Standish added onto the hit parade with a double to the wall which scored Knight, while another single from Bella Wilkerson eventually plated Standish.
In the top of the third, Evansville got on the board after a walk and two singles, but the 'Birds earned it back and more in the bottom of the inning. Wilkerson earned a spot on first after an error by the Purple Aces and was replaced by pinch-runner Payton Brown. Brown worked to steal second to get herself in scoring position, before scoring on a single from Addison Masching.
The Purple Aces fought back in the top of the fifth and the sixth, plating four runs to tie the ball game going into the bottom of the sixth.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Redbirds loaded the bases, beginning with a Wilkerson single up the middle, and then back-to-back walks from Masching and Julia Larson. Ella Boyer earned the final walk of the inning to push across the winning run, and earn Illinois State the walk-off victory.
UP NEXT
The final game of the regular season will be tomorrow, Sunday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m. CT where the Redbirds will celebrate Senior Day following the conclusion of the game. On Wednesday of the next week, the MVC tournament comes to Normal, beginning with the first game at 10:05 a.m. CT at Marian Kneer.
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.
