CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Despite an explosive offensive start and a career-high six RBIs from Lauren Flowers, Illinois State softball could not withstand a relentless comeback from Northern Iowa, falling, 24-16, in six innings on Saturday afternoon at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex.
The two teams combined for 40 runs and 35 hits in a game that featured eight total home runs. Twenty-four runs is the most scored by an ISU opponent in a single game in program history.
BIRD BITS (Game 3 vs. UNI)
Offensive Highlights:
Lauren Flowers: 3-for-3, 2 2B, 6 RBI
Hannah Meeks: 2-for-4, 2B, Grand Slam, 4 RBI, 2 R
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-4, HR, BB, 2 RBI, 3 R
Bella Atkinson: 2-for-3, 2 2B, 3 R
Bailah Bognar: 2-for-3, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod: 2.2 IP, 9 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Hannah Meeks: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Hannah Meshnick (L, 4-7): 2.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Gracelyn Kemp: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds appeared to be in total control early, racing out to a 13-0 lead by the middle of the third inning. Tatum Wolford set the tone immediately by launching a solo home run to left center on a 1-2 count to open the game.
The bats remained hot in the second inning as Illinois State sent 11 batters to the plate, highlighted by a grand slam from Hannah Meeks that pushed the lead to double digits. Lauren Flowers provided consistent production throughout the early frames, racking up two separate two-run doubles to keep the pressure on the Panther pitching staff.
However, the momentum shifted in the bottom of the third when Northern Iowa exploded for 11 runs on 10 hits. The Panthers' surge was led by three home runs, including a four-run blast that cut the Redbird lead to two. Illinois State briefly regained a four-run cushion in the fifth behind a sacrifice fly from Flowers and a passed ball, but the UNI offense didn't back down.
The Panthers took their first lead of the day during a nine-run fifth inning, highlighted by two more home runs.
Hannah Meshnick was tagged with the loss after surrendering seven runs in two innings of relief.
ON DECK
The Redbirds head to Champaign, Ill., for a midweek contest against the Fighting Illini on Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT at Eichelberger Field. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
