NASHVILLE — In a tightly contested pitcher's duel, Illinois State softball edged Belmont, 2–1, in game one before falling, 3-2, in nine innings in the nightcap on Friday at E.S. Rose Park.
BIRD BITS (Game 1 at Belmont)
Offensive Highlights:
Bella Atkinson: 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R
Morgan Calhoun: 2-for-4,
Tatum Wolford: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 1 RBI
Ella Boyer: 1-for-3, 2B
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (W, 17-3): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State opened the scoring in the first inning, as Bella Atkinson delivered a two-out solo home run. The Redbirds added the decisive run in the fourth, loading the bases before Tatum Wolford drew a walk to force in a run and extend the lead to 2–0.
Belmont answered in the bottom half of the fourth inning, stringing together three hits, including an RBI single, to cut the deficit to 2–1. However, Illinois State starter Paige McLeod worked out of the inning and held the Bruins scoreless over the final three frames.
McLeod (17–3) earned her eighth complete-game victory of the season, allowing one run on five hits with three strikeouts. Belmont starter Maya Johnson (21–2), who leads the nation in strikeouts and shutouts, also went the distance, fanning eight batters while allowing two runs on eight hits.
BIRD BITS (Game 2 at Belmont)
Hannah Meeks: 1-for-2, HR, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 R
Morgan Calhoun: 1-for-4, 1 R
Bella Atkinson: 1-for-4
Lauren Flowers: 1-for-3, 1 BB
Bella Atkinson: 1-for-4
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (L, 6-9): 2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Gracelyn Kemp: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hannah Meeks powered the Redbirds with a two-run home run in the second inning, but Belmont answered immediately to tie the game and held ISU scoreless the rest of the way.
The two sides remained deadlocked until the ninth, when Belmont put the winning run in motion with a leadoff double and followed with a single before a wild pitch allowed the deciding run to cross the plate. Illinois State was limited to six hits and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the loss.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will finish up the series against the Bruins tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. CT at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville.
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