Redbirds Split First Day Games At MTSU Tournament

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – After a heartbreaking walkoff loss in game one to host Middle Tennessee, the Redbirds bounced back with a 3-0 shutout win over Ball State in the second game on the first day of action at the MTSU Tournament in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Friday.

BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Middle Tennessee)

Offensive Highlights: 
Delainey Bryant: 2-for-4
Addison Masching: 1-for-3
Adisyn Hopkins: 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 2B
Ella Boyer: 1-for-3, 1 RBI

Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (3-4): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds jumped out to an early lead, when Hopkins ripped a two-out double to center field and then scored on a RBI single to right field by Ella Boyer to make the score 1-0 in favor of ISU. Hannah Meshnick stymied the Blue Raider offense for six innings, retiring 14-straight batters at one point, and held a 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh, but a pair of solo home runs by Middle Tennessee gave the Blue Raiders a 2-1 walkoff victory.

BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Ball State)

Offensive Highlights: 
Adisyn Hopkins: 3-for-4, 1 RBI
Abby Knight: 3-for-3, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meeks (2-2): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

HOW IT HAPPENED
The game was scoreless through four innings, before the Redbirds broke things open in the top of the fifth inning with three runs on three hits. Bryant walked to get things started and then advanced to third base as Bella Atkinson ripped a single and advanced to second base with nobody out. With one out, Hopkins drove in Bryant from third on an RBI single while Atkinson advanced to third base. After a walk by Boyer loaded the bases, Abby Knight singled to left field to score Atkinson for the second run of the inning. With the bases still loaded, Hopkins scored on a sacrifice fly by Bella Wilkerson to bring the score to 3-0. The score would stay there the rest of the game, as Meeks shut down Ball State to pick up the complete game victory.

ON DECK
Illinois State will have two more games on the second day of the MTSU Tournament on Saturday, with the first scheduled for 11 a.m. CT against Middle Tennessee and the second game following at 4 p.m. CT against Ball State. 

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