MURRAY, Ken. – The final series in Missouri Valley Conference play for Illinois State and Murray State had to be delayed a bit due to rain, however the game eventually started, and the two teams were able to get in the first game of the series on Friday. Murray State took the early lead at home over Illinois State, however the Redbirds (22-28, 15-10 MVC) were able to score two runs in the third and fourth innings and held on for a 4-2 win over the Racers (20-26, 10-15 MVC).
BIRDS BITS (vs. Murray State)
Offensive Highlights:Â
Abby Knight: 2-for-4, 1 R
Addison Masching: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Ella Boyer: 1-for-4, 1 RBI
Adisyn Hopkins: 0-for-2, 1 R, 2 BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (W, 11-10): 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Racers took the early lead in the game on a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, but the Redbirds answered in the top of the third inning with two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Ella Boyer drove in the first run of the game for ISU which scored Tatum Wolford and Boyer later scored from third on a wild pitch for the second run of the frame. After a scoreless bottom of the third for the Racers, the Redbirds tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Masching and when Julia Larson scored from third on another wild pitch to make the score 4-1. Murray State would get a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Meshnick held on for her team-leading 11th win of the season.
ON DECK
The Redbirds and Racers will play the second game of the series on Saturday in Murray, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
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.
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