NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State softball celebrated a historic moment on Saturday with the official dedication of Melinda Fischer Field, but, despite the pregame festivities, Indiana State rallied late to defeat the Redbirds, 7-6, in the series finale at Marian Kneer Stadium.
BIRD BITS (Game 3 vs. INST)
Offensive Highlights:
Bella Atkinson: 3-for-4, 1 R
Lauren Flowers: 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, 1 R
Ava Boyer: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
Tatum Wolford: 1-for-3, 3B, BB, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Hannah Meshnick (L, 6-8): 2.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Gracelyn Kemp: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, O BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Indiana State struck first in the opening inning, using a two-out, two-run to take an early 2-0 lead. Illinois State answered in the bottom half when Lauren Flowers delivered an RBI single, trimming the deficit to one.
The Redbirds evened the score in the fourth on an Ella Boyer sacrifice fly before Indiana State briefly regained the lead with an RBI single in the fifth.
Illinois State responded with its biggest inning of the day in the bottom of the fifth. After Tatum Wolford tripled and Bella Atkinson singled, Lauren Flowers launched a three-run home run to left center, the freshman's second home run in as many days. Then, an RBI double from Ava Boyer extended the advantage to 6-3.
Indiana State mounted a late rally in the seventh, however, capitalizing on an Illinois State error and tying the game on a three-run double. The Sycamores then took the lead on an RBI double and held on in the bottom half to secure the 7-6 victory.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will be back in action next weekend, taking on Belmont in a three-game conference series at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville. Friday's doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m. CT, with the series finale slated for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball) and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
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