BOCA RATON, Fla. – Illinois State softball (4-15) picked up a split on the final day of the Owl Classic in Boca Raton, Fla. as the Redbirds collected a 5-2 come-from-behind win over Penn (0-10) and nearly completed their second comeback of the day, but fell 3-2 to Florida Atlantic (14-7) to close out the weekend.
BIRDS BITS (Game 1 vs. Penn)
Offensive Highlights:
- Kaili Chval: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
- Emme Olson: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
- Jayden Standish: 1-for-3, 2B, BB, RBI
- Delainey Bryant: 1-for-4, RBI, R
- Abby Knight: 1-for-4, RBI
- Brandi LaFountaine: 1-for-3, R
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State and Penn met for the first time in program history and the Redbirds were able to pick up a 5-2 victory despite an early lead for the Quakers.
Illinois State led off the game with two baserunners in the top of the first as fifth-year senior Emme Olson doubled to center and junior Jayden Standish drew a two-out walk, but the Redbirds could not come up with a run.
The Quakers were able to plate a pair in the bottom of the first as a single put a runner on and the next batter hit a two-run home run. The early 2-0 lead by Penn was carried into the fourth inning.
The fourth was a big inning for the Redbirds as senior Kaili Chval led off with her second hit of the day, a single down the left field line. An infield single from senior Brandi LaFountaine put two on for sophomore Addison Masching who tapped a sacrifice bunt to move Chval and LaFountaine over to second and third. A walk to sophomore Bella Wilkerson loaded the bases for the Redbirds. A trio of RBI singles from sophomore Delainey Bryant, sophomore Abby Knight and Olson gave Illinois State a 3-2 lead over Penn. Standish then collected an RBI on a bases-loaded groundout and the lead moved to 4-2 before the inning was over.
Freshman starting pitcher Hannah Meeks held the Quakers scoreless after the first inning and only allowed two additional hits while adding a pair of strikeouts.
Illinois State added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Standish led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Freshman Abby Horton entered to pinch run and scored on a one-out double to center from Chval.
Meeks went three up and three down in the bottom of the seventh to finish the game and pick up her third win the circle.
NOTES
- Meeks' 7.0 innings pitched against Penn is a career high for the freshman. She also picked up her third win in the circle to lead the Redbirds' pitching staff in wins.
- This is the fifth time in Chval's career she has had three hits in a single game. The last time the senior had three hits was 4/17/21 against Southern Illinois. Three hits ties her career high and is a new season high for 2023.
- This was Illinois State's first come-from-behind win of the season.
BIRDS BITS (Game 2 vs. Florida Atlantic)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bryant got things started for the Redbirds as she collected her sixth double of the season to lead off the game against Florida Atlantic. A flyout moved Bryant to third and a hit-by-pitch to Knight put runners at the corners. With two outs in the inning, Illinois State attempted a double steal, but Knight was caught at second to end the inning.
Florida Atlantic scored first as the Owls' first batter of the game reached on a single and advanced on a bad throw. A double to left center scored the runner on second and FAU led 1-0 after one complete inning. The Owls added to their lead in the bottom of the second as a bases loaded hit-by-pitch gave FAU a 2-0 lead after two.
After the first inning, the Redbirds were sat down in order until the fifth as Chval smacked a double to center field to start an Illinois State rally. LaFountaine battled in the next at-bat and drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. Sophomore Emma Hicks entered to pinch run for LaFountaine. Masching was up next and reached on an error by the Owls' second baseman as Chval came around to score and Hicks advanced to third. Senior Dayna Kennedy followed with an RBI single to left field to score Hicks and tie the game at 2-2.
It was tied through the top half of the seventh, but FAU was able to collect a two-out RBI single to walk it off 3-2 over the Redbirds.
NOTES
- Bryant currently leads the team in doubles (6), walks (11), on-base percentage (.455) and runs scored (12).
- Meshnick currently leads the Redbirds in complete games with three.
- Hicks' run scored as a pinch runner against FAU is her first career run scored.
ON DECK
Illinois State will close out its early-season tournament schedule by traveling to Murray, Ky. on Mar. 10-11 for the Murray State Tournament that consists of the Redbirds, Murray State (12-6) and Youngstown State (3-8). Contests between Illinois State and Murray State will not be conference games, but will serve as a good test for the two programs as Missouri Valley Conference play begins the following weekend. The Redbirds and Racers will not meet during the MVC regular season.
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