CHICAGO — Illinois State softball fell to DePaul, 6–5, on Tuesday evening at Cacciatore Stadium in the Redbirds' final non-conference midweek game this season.
With the loss, the Redbirds moved to 25–16 overall, finishing with seven hits and leaving 10 runners on base, while DePaul recorded seven hits and stranded six.
BIRD BITS (at DePaul)
Offensive Highlights:
Julia Larson: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Ella Boyer: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, BB, 1 R
Taylor Liebelt: 1-for-3, 1 RBI, BB, 2 R
Bella Atkinson: 1-for-3, BB, 1 R
Hannah Meeks: 0-for-2, BB, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Hannah Meshnick (L, 6-10): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
Gracelyn Kemp; 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State opened the scoring in the second inning, drawing four walks and taking advantage of an error to plate two runs for a 2–0 lead.
DePaul answered in the bottom half of the inning and surged ahead in the third, highlighted by a three-run home run, before adding two more runs in the fourth to extend the lead to four.
The Redbirds responded in the fifth inning, stringing together five hits to score three runs, including RBI singles from Taylor Liebelt, Ella Boyer and Julia Larson to cut the deficit to 6-5.
Despite the momentum, Illinois State was held scoreless over the final two innings. Hannah Meshnick (6–10) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 3.2 innings, while Gracelyn Kemp provided 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.
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 postgame 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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