Wolford Homers As Redbird Drop Series Finale At Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State bats came alive in the series finale at Southern Illinois on Sunday, as the Redbirds picked up nine hits and scored four runs highlighted by Tatum Wolford's first home run of the year. However, it was not enough as the Salukis (11-4, 3-0 MVC) used a six-run second inning to pick up an 8-4 win over the Redbirds (6-21, 0-3 MVC) at Charlotte West Stadium.

BIRDS BITS (vs. Southern Illinois)

Offensive Highlights: 
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
Julia Larson: 2-for-3, 1 R
Abby Knight: 2-for-4, 1 R
Addison Masching: 1-for-4, 1 RBI

Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (L, 0-8): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Hannah Meshnick: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds had to fight back from an early deficit, as the Salukis scored six runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning to take a 6-0 lead. The Redbirds would get two of those runs back in the top of the third inning to cut the Salukis' lead to 6-2 and Wolford gave the Redbirds another run in the top of the fourth, when she smashed her first home run of the season over the left field wall to make it 6-3. A two-run home run by Williams in the bottom half of the inning would push the SIU advantage to 8-3 after four innings of play, and the Redbirds would cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Masching that scored Larson from third. However, that would be as close as ISU could get, and SIU held on for the win.

ON DECK
After playing their first 27 games of the season on the road, the Redbirds will finally host their first home contest of the year when they welcome in Belmont from Friday through Sunday for a MVC series at Marian Kneer Stadium. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m., with Saturday's game set for 2 p.m. and the finale on Sunday scheduled for Noon.

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