Redbirds Drop Series to Bruins

NASHVILLE — Illinois State softball dropped the series rubber match to Belmont, 5-4, in eight innings on Saturday at E.S. Rose Park.

With the loss to the Missouri Valley-leading Bruins, the Redbirds now sit at 25-15 overall and 14-8 in conference play.

BIRD BITS (Game 3 at Belmont)

Offensive Highlights:

Hannah Meeks: 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

Julia Larson: 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

Ava Boyer: 2-for-4

Lauren Flowers: 1-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI

Ella Boyer: 1-for-4, 1 R

Bella Atkinson: 0-for-2, BB, 1 R

Pitching Breakdown:

Hannah Meshnick (L, 6-10): 7.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 1 K

HOW IT HAPPENED

Illinois State got on the board in the second inning when Hannah Meeks launched a solo home run to right field. The Redbirds added to their lead in the top of the fourth after Bella Atkinson drew a walk and scored on a double by Lauren Flowers. Belmont quickly erased the deficit in the bottom of the frame, putting up four runs on two RBI singles, an RBI double and a passed ball.

Illinois State clawed back in the seventh inning, using a Julia Larson RBI single to score Ella Boyer before Larson herself scored the equalizing run on a passed ball. The Bruins had runners on second and third with two outs in the home half of the inning, but Hannah Meshnick forced a line out to send the Redbirds to their second extra-inning contest in as many days.

The Redbirds threatened to take the lead in the eighth, as Meeks doubled with one out, but the Bruins escaped and then scored on an RBI single in the bottom half to take game three, 5-4, and win the series.

ON DECK

The Redbirds host their final home series of the season next weekend against Murray State on Melinda Fischer Field at Marian Kneer Stadium. Friday's doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. CT, with the series finale set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday. Senior recognition will take place following the series finale.

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball) and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).

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