TAMPA, Fla. -- The 2026 softball season started strong for Illinois State at the USF-Rawlings Tournament in Tampa, Florida, as the Redbirds erupted offensively in a 10–1 season-opening win over Bethune-Cookman before knocking off host South Florida, 5–1, in game two to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012.
Senior Hannah Meshnick started in the circle for the Redbirds against the Wildcats and turned in a strong outing, allowing just one run while striking out five over five innings. Meshnick also drove in the game's first two runs with her first career home run. She was one of five ISU batters to record multiple hits in the opener, as true freshmen Morgan Calhoun and Lauren Flowers, junior Julia Larson, and senior Bella Atkinson each totaled two hits.
The Redbirds faced the Bulls in the second game of the day, with sophomore Paige McLeod starting on the mound for ISU. McLeod tossed her 15th career complete game, allowing just one run on four hits while fanning two batters over seven innings. Atkinson paced the Redbird offense in the win, blasting a home run and driving in four runs.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Bethune-Cookman)
Offensive Highlights:
Morgan Calhoun: 2-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 2B, 1 R
Bella Atkinson: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 R
Hannah Meshnick: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R
Julia Larson: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R
Lauren Flowers: 2-for-4, RBI, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (W, 1-0): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Hannah Meeks: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning when Meshnick slugged her first-career long ball over the right center wall. ISU added four more runs in the fourth inning, as sophomore Tatum Wolford scored on an error, Calhoun ripped a 2 RBI double to left center and Flowers drove in a run with a single up the middle. The Wildcats answered with a run in the bottom half of the third on an RBI single, but back-to-back two-RBI doubles from Atkinson and Calhoun in the sixth frame extended the lead and sealed the Redbirds' 10-1 victory.
BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. USF)
Offensive Highlights:
Bella Atkinson: 2-for-4, HR, 1 R, 4 RBI
Morgan Calhoun: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
Julia Larson: 1-for-4, 2 R
Tatum Wolford: 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (W, 1-0): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulls took an early lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single, but the Redbirds took control in the third inning. Atkinson laced a two-RBI single down the right-field line, and Calhoun followed with an RBI base hit to left to give ISU a 3–1 lead. Atkinson continued her strong day at the plate in the fifth inning, blasting a two-run home run -- the third of her NCAA career -- to extend the Redbird advantage. The score held the rest of the way, as McLeod shut down the USF offense.
ON DECK
Illinois State will have two more games on the second day of the USF-Rawlings Tournament on Friday, with the first scheduled for 1 p.m. CT against Kansas followed by a 6 p.m. CT matchup versus No. 6 Florida. The Redbirds will wrap up play at the USF-Rawlings Tournament on Saturday at 8 a.m. CT against Michigan.
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