CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Missouri Valley Conference opener between Illinois State and Southern Illinois proved to be a pitcher's duel, with Redbirds (6-19, 0-1 MVC) holding SIU to just one run however the Salukis (9-14, 1-0 MVC) were able to hold ISU scoreless and come away with a 1-0 victory in the opening game of the three-game weekend set in Carbondale.
BIRDS BITS (vs. Southern Illinois)
Offensive Highlights:Â
Delainey Bryant: 1-for-3
Adisyn Hopkins: 1-for-3
Bella Atkinson: 1-for-2
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (L, 0-7): 5.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Hannah Meshnick: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both starting pitchers were rolling through three scoreless innings, but the Salukis were finally able to scratch together a run in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Emily Williams to take a 1-0 lead. That would prove to be the only run of the contest, as the Redbirds were held scoreless through the final three innings as the Salukis took game one of the series.
ON DECK
The Redbirds and Salukis will square off in the second game of the series on Saturday, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. at Charlotte West Stadium.
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