CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois State softball grabbed an early lead to defeat Big Ten foe Illinois, 8-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
The Redbirds clinched their second victory over a Power Four program this year behind freshman Ava Boyer's three doubles, the most in a single game in program history and tied for the most in a single game in the NCAA this season.
BIRD BITS (vs. Illinois)
Offensive Highlights:
Ava Boyer: 4-for-4, 3 2B, 1 RBI, 3 R
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R
Bella Atkinson: 1-for-2, 2 RBI
Bailah Bognar: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
Ella Boyer: 1-for-1, SH, BB, 1 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (W, 13-3): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Gracelyn Kemp: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Hannah Meshnick (S, 5): 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds struck first in the third inning when Bailah Bognar smashed her first career home run, also scoring Ava Boyer, who doubled earlier in the inning. Julia Larson kept the offense rolling with a double down the left field line and later scored on an RBI single from Bella Atkinson to put the Redbirds ahead, 3-0.
Illinois State added another run in the fourth, as Ava Boyer hit her second double of the game and found her way home on an RBI single by her sister, Ella Boyer.
The Redbirds extended their lead to five in the fifth. Tatum Wolford led the inning off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout by Larson and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Atkinson.
More offensive production came in the sixth, as Wolford hit her second double in as many plate appearances to bring in two runs and increase the Redbird advantage to seven.
The Fighting Illini answered in the bottom of the sixth, hitting an RBI single and a three-run homer to cut the Redbird lead to three. Illinois State added an insurance run in the seventh after Ava Boyer hit an RBI double to left center.Â
Paige McLeod started in the circle and picked up her 13th win of the season, allowing zero runs on four hits while striking out two through four innings of work.
Hannah Meshnick entered in relief with two outs in the sixth and held the Fighting Illini scoreless to clinch her fifth save this season, which is tied for second most in program history in a single season. Meshnick currently holds the program record with 12 career saves.
ON DECK
The Redbirds host a conference doubleheader against Valparaiso on Friday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT at Marian Kneer Stadium.
