CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In a final tune up before starting Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend, Illinois State traveled down I-74 to take on Big Ten Conference and in-state foe Illinois on Wednesday. The Illini would get out to an early lead and never looked back, as the Redbirds dropped at 3-1 decision to Illinois at Eichelberger Field.
BIRDS BITS (vs. Illinois)
Offensive Highlights:Â
Abby Knight: 2-for-3, 2 2B
Lexie Griffin: 1-for-2, 1 RBI
Bella Wilkerson: 1-for-3, 1 2B
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meeks (L, 3-3): 3.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB
Gracelyn Kemp: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Illini got out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a pair of two-out RBI singles. The Redbirds would trim the lead in half in the top of the fifth inning, when Bella Wilkerson doubled to leadoff the inning and was then pinch ran for by Marissa Moffett. Bella Atkinson then singled to advance Moffett to third and she would score on an RBI single through the left side by Lexie Griffin to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Illini. However, Illinois would get that run back in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 3-1 and that is where the score would stay.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will open Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend in Carbondale, as they take on the defending MVC champion Salukis in a three-game set. First pitch on Friday is now scheduled for 1 p.m. due to expected inclement weather in the area that evening.
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: Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
Â
