TAMPA, Fla. --Â The Illinois State softball team wrapped up play at the USF-Rawlings Tournament on Saturday with a 6-2 defeat to the Michigan Wolverines.
ISU jumped out to an early lead, but Michigan responded in the opening inning and then pulled away, using consistent pitching and 11 hits to secure the win at USF Softball Stadium.
BIRDS BITS (vs. Michigan)
Offensive Highlights:
Lauren Flowers: 2-for-2, 2 RBI
Tatum Wolford: 1-for-3, 2B, 1 R
Julia Larson: 1-for-2, HBP, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (L, 1-1): 4.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Paige McLeod: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sophomore Tatum Wolford opened the game with a double, junior Julia Larson was hit by a pitch and freshman Morgan Calhoun singled through the right side to put runners on early for ISU. Freshman Lauren Flowers followed with a two-run single to center field to cap the first-inning scoring. Michigan responded in the bottom half with a two-run single and an RBI double to take the lead. The Wolverines added runs in the second, fifth and sixth innings, while the Redbirds were held scoreless the rest of the way despite additional hits from Larson and senior Hannah Meshnick.
ON DECK
ISU will be back in action next week, as the Redbirds travel to California to compete at the Silicon Valley Invitational hosted by Santa Clara and San Jose State from Feb. 12-15.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball) and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).Â
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