MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. -- The Illinois State softball team closed its preseason tournament slate with a 7-0 shutout victory over UMass at the Make it Happen Games on Sunday afternoon at R.O.C. Park.
Hannah Meeks had a career-day at the plate, and Paige McLeod tossed a complete game shutout to claim the Redbirds' 10th win of the season.
BIRD BITS (vs. UMass)
Offensive Highlights:
Hannah Meeks: 3-for-4, Grand Slam, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 1 R
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-4, 2B, 1 R
Julia Larson: 2-for-3, 2B, BB, 3 R
Morgan Calhoun: 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (W, 5-2): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Tatum Wolford scored on a wild pitch, and Morgan Calhoun brought home Julia Larson on an RBI groundout. Meeks broke the game open with a grand slam to deep right field in the top of the third. Meeks drove in the Birds' final run with her second double of the game in the seventh frame. The junior collected a career-high five RBIs during her three-hit effort.Â
In the circle, McLeod held UMass scoreless while giving up six hits to improve her record to 5-2 in the circle. It marked the junior's second complete game performance this season.
ON DECK
The Redbirds open up Missouri Valley Conference play with a three-game series on the road against Evansville March 4-5. First pitch of the series is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on Friday at Cooper Stadium.
